A SALISBURY tap dancer has become a world champion.

Rosie Howell, 15, who is a member of the England tap team Tap Attack, won gold at the World Tap Championships in Germany earlier this month.

The team includes dancers from all over the country and Rosie was one of 38 who competed for England at the 17th championships from December 3 to 7.

She was part of a group that won gold in the adult formation category.

Head coach and world record-breaking tap dancer Jo Scanlan said: “Rosie has worked extremely hard to firstly be selected for this year’s England team and then showed great determination and sacrifice to be crowned world champion.

“There are around 2,000 tap dancers from nearly 20 countries and Rosie should be very proud of her achievement.”

The England team did very well at the competition, also scooping gold in the junior duo, the male child solo, the junior small group and the adult small group, gold and silver in the male junior solo, silver in the male adult solo and bronze in the female adult solo and children small group.

Rosie joined Tap Attack after a tough audition process in April 2011 and this is her third time competing at the world championships.