A TALENTED youngster from Renfrew who was already a world champion at the age of seven was set to take part in an exciting Britain’s Got Talent-style competition in 2009, thanks to the generosity of a local businessman.

Jay Carr reached the grand final of ‘festival4stars,’ where she would be representing Scotland in the solo dance section for those aged under 12.

Despite her tender years, she had made a bigger impression on judges than her competitors, some of whom were five years older than her.

The festival4stars final was to be held in Scarborough, where Jay would also be competing in a second category – the star team dance section – with a group of friends from her Glasgow dance school.

Proud mum Kim said at the time: “We can’t thank John Sharpe, from Altern8 Solutions, enough for funding Jay’s trip to the grand final in Scarborough in September this year. It’s amazing.”

Computer expert John added: “Jay’s dad came into the shop and we were talking about what he did for a living.

“He mentioned that his daughter was a world champion and I thought it sounded like a really good cause.

“It’s so hard to get youngsters involved in anything these days and it’s brilliant to see someone with a passion for something, so we were more than happy to sponsor her.”

Jay, who was a pupil at St James’ Primary, in Renfrew, had been dancing as a hobby for two-and-a-half years.

She was training three nights a week to hone her skills.

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