Ballet boy 'will dance again'

Kristopher King may require special boots

A ballet dancer who was injured by school bullies will be able to dance again, experts say.

Kristopher King, 12, thought his hopes of a career as a professional ballet dancer had been shattered when he suffered a serious foot injury.

His mother, Diane King, of Spondon, Derby, said her son was kicked and jumped on at school because of his ambition to become a dancer.

But staff at the Birmingham Royal Ballet have told the family that Kristopher could take to the stage again within months.

Mrs King said: "Kristopher has had treatment at the Jerwood Centre at the royal school and they said they treat injuries like his all the time.

High hopes

Our fingers are crossed that Kristopher will be able to dance again soon

Diane King

"They told us that with physiotherapy he will be able to dance again in a matter of months.

"He is overjoyed and this has given him hope again.

"He can't wait to get back to dancing."

Kristopher began ballet classes at the age of four but was recently targeted by playground bullies.

Since then he has been unable to take part in ballet sessions, prompting his family to consider legal action against Derby City Council.

Mrs King said: "We still have to get the go-ahead from a consultant, but our fingers are crossed that Kristopher will be able to dance again soon."