Shoppers urged to sponsor ballet

Shoppers were encouraged to sponsor the Christmas production

The principal dancers from Scottish Ballet's latest show have launched a new fundraising campaign at a Glasgow department store.

The "Buy a Bit of Beauty" appeal allows fans to sponsor props, costumes, and even the dancers themselves, in their new production of the Sleeping Beauty.

The campaign follows the success of a similar appeal last year.

The company raised thousands of pounds and was able to stage one of its most spectacular Christmas shows to date.

Dancers Soon Ja Lee and Gregory Dean, dressed in twinkling festive costumes from previous Scottish Ballet productions, Cinderella and The Nutcracker.

They encouraged shoppers on Buchanan Street to invest in an "unforgettable" Christmas present by sponsoring everything from a champagne flute to a wicked fairy.

The company said these fundraising appeals were important because it now receives its funding directly from the Scottish Government and has to prove it is capable of raising additional money itself.