SALE schoolboy Alex Easby has put up with a lot. Not only is the 11-year-old dyslexic but he was almost deterred from his ambition of becoming a ballet dancer.

Alex, a pupil at Sale High School, showed an aptitude for dance from the age of three when he attended Stalder Academy of Dance.

But he stopped when he was five because of bullying at his primary school.

His mother, Fiona, said: “They picked on him and he said he didn’t want to dance any more.”

Alex said: “I started again at Stalder when I was nine after people saw me disco dancing and thought I was good.”

His family spotted a leaflet at Manchester City Library inviting applicants to take a two hour dance session with a professional dancer and audition to join Company Chameleon, a professional dance company.

Alex said he couldn’t believe it when they asked him to join their 11 to 18 section.

“I didn’t expect to get in. There were some good dancers there. I am the youngest.”

Alex is performing in Company Chameleon’ s 50-strong show Illuminate - A Journey of Seven Stories, performed in different rooms at Manchester Central Library at 7pm and 9pm on November 24 and 25.

Alex appears first, dancing a solo he has choreographed himself symbolising strength, agility, stealth and power. This will be followed by a duet with another boy who also choreographed his own piece.

His brother, eight-year-old Lochlan will see the show. His sister, three-year-old Amelia is a little young to do so.

Kevin Edward Turner. co-director of Chameleon. who is choreographing and directing Illuminate, said: “This will give Alex and other young people a chance to experience what is involved in producing a professional production.”

* Details of free preview events and waiting list for main production, can be found on librarylive.co.uk.