A TALENTED dancer’s dream came true when he won a place at Moscow’s world-famous Bolshoi Ballet Academy.

Daniel Dolan, from Widnes, is one of only three British male dancers to have ever been accepted by the prestigious dance school in its 237-year history.

There was only one problem – how to pay for it.

Luckily for the 16-year-old, a mystery benefactor came forward to pay for his first year traineeship at the ballet school.

Daniel went on to gain top marks in each dance discipline and the highest mark overall in his year, and has now been accepted on to the Academy’s three-year diploma course.

But, while his potential as a future international ballet star is not in doubt, there is still a big question mark over his ability to pay for his training.

Daniel, now 17, is in a race against time to raise around £16,000 to cover his course fees, dancewear, flights and living expenses for the next year.

Now back home in Widnes, he is busy searching for sponsorship in time for the start of the course in September and has issued a desperate appeal for help.

He said: “I am just hoping for the best.

“It was a dream come true to study at the Bolshoi and I loved every minute.

“It completely changed the way I work and I feel I have improved more in the last few months than I ever have before.”