The only full-time youth ballet company in the Highlands and Islands is taking a classic fairytale to some remote areas of Scotland, thanks to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Ballet West is performing 'The Sleeping Beauty' at six venues across the region with financial assistance of £3,591 from HIE's Touring Arts Community Action Grant budget.

Based in Taynuilt in north Argyll, Ballet West is the only youth ballet company in the region which offers training to full-time students at the ballet school, and to children in Oban and the surrounding area. Established in 1991 by Gillian Barton, a Scottish ballet dancer who spent many years in America teaching and dancing, the company has given a total of 76 performances.

Ballet West was also involved in two successful Scottish-based films, 'Rob Roy' and 'Mrs Brown', with the latter leading to Billy Connolly becoming the company's patron.

The company's aim is to provide the opportunity for people in rural areas of Scotland to see professional ballet and become involved in dance. Last year, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise awarded Ballet West a grant worth £3,000 towards the cost of sending a ballet teacher to some of the remotest parts of Argyll and Lochaber.

Ballet West employs guest artistes, professional choreographers, seamstresses and administrators for its productions and also employs local artists as costume and set designers.

Mike Rowell, administrator with Ballet West said: "Being in a rural location ourselves, we are aware of the importance of access to art for other remote communities. As a company we enjoy touring with our productions and this would not be possible without financial assistance from organisations such as HIE. We are very grateful to them for their support."

Head of community culture at HIE, Roy Pedersen said: "Ballet West is an excellent example of how a unique business can flourish in a remote part of the Highlands.

"The company is committed to the development of their young dancers skills, and enthusiastic about taking classical ballet to areas which are often deprived of this type of culture and entertainment."

Ballet West perform 'The Sleeping Beauty' at the Corran Halls in Oban on Thursday 12th July; MacRobert Centre, Stirling on Saturday 14th July; Queens Hall, Dunoon on Tuesday17th July; Nevis Centre in Fort William on Wednesday 18th July; the Capercaillie Club at RAF Kinloss on Thursday 19th July; Ardross Hall on Friday 20th July and Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on Saturday 21st July. All performances start at 7.30pm excluding the performance at RAF Kinloss which begins at 8pm.