A SALISBURY schoolgirl had the “once in a lifetime chance” to dance with a star of Strictly Come Dancing.

Charlotte Hunt, an 11-year-old from Salisbury, travelled to London on August 2 to meet and dance with Karen Hardy, one of the professional dancers on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Charlotte, who is set to start at The Trafalgar School in Downton in September, has been dancing at Salisbury Dance Studios since age five, the same age Karen Hardy started her dance career.

Charlotte originally learned ballet, before moving on to tap and modern dance.

Tanya Mingo, Charlotte’s mum, said: “She absolutely loves dancing and dances at every spare opportunity.

“For her birthday she was given this once in a lifetime chance to dance with the one and only Karen Hardy at her studio in Imperial Wharf.”

Charlotte and Tanya had the chance to look around Karen’s studio, with pictures of Strictly stars, judges and Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.

Tanya said Karen made them feel “very welcome” when she met them, and was soon teaching Charlotte how to dance the Cha-cha-cha.

“Charlotte hasn’t ever danced like this before but she picked it up so quickly, firstly learning the steps then putting in the arms, and finally dancing with Karen to music,” Tanya said.

“There was a lot of laughing and they had great fun.

“Afterwards Karen showed us the dresses she wore on the show and also her vast array of trophies - some of them were really big.”

Tanya said “Charlotte’s face was a picture” when Karen brought out her Strictly Come Dancing glitter ball trophy as she is “a massive Strictly fan”.

“Karen praised Charlotte on her dance, and said she had made the routine tough but nothing seemed to faze her.

“The words which Charlotte will never forget are when Karen said ‘Charlotte you are a mini me, you remind me of how I was at your age. Please keep dancing as you have such a natural talent’.”

Before leaving Karen gave Charlotte a signed photograph, which read: “To Charlotte, my dancing star” along with a teddy bear and other goodies.

Tanya said: “This was simply a once in a lifetime chance and we are so glad Charlotte was able to experience it.”