A dance teacher has reached her 400th hour of doing her dance classes online.

Fee Jeanes Ballet had to go virtual to keep the school going for most of this year after lockdown struck back in March.

Fee Jeanes said: "I went into panic and thought, 'what am I going to do?' We had to close the school quite unexpectedly and I was teaching quite a lot of classes on a Thursday."

Luckily, she had some invaluable help from her friend Alan who suggested doing the classes on Zoom, and who has sat with her for 400 hours to help for free.

"I was a real novice," said Fee, "I could just about copy and paste. Alan has supported me 100 per cent."

Fee had to buy some flooring to put down at home, a camera and tripod, as well as a ballet bar.

She added: "I live in a small cottage, then the flooring I put down got stuck so I had to buy boarding, I've got the ballet bar by the fireplace, the camera, tripod and laptop.

"Then I thought, 'I have got to dance for eight hours a day', but I have loved every minute of it, it's been great.

"We had to do it, either that or I lose my school and I've put far too much work into it to let it sit still and do nothing."

With support from parents and her family, she has managed to continue classes online but had to stop her very young class as she was unable to use the props while on Zoom.

Some classes were able to be held at the studio before the last lockdown, but classes will continue on Zoom now until the end of term.

But it has been a great experience for Fee, teaching those she hasn't seen for many years, those living abroad, and also getting to see the range of pets her pupils have.

She said: "I taught a little girl when she was three, Hannah, and I did a virtual class for everybody and anybody back in March and Hannah's mum asked if they could come. They have continued to Zoom every week with me. I have not seen Hannah since she was three and she is now 15/16, despite teaching her on Zoom, but we have an amazing relationship and she has come on so well.

"I also taught a little girl for years and she moved to France. I was heartbroken, she's a lovely little dancer. But her dad said they wanted to keep dancing with me and I teach her in France every single week.

"It's wonderful that they still want me to each them - all my pupils are amazing, they become a family.

"Another hilarious thing is all the animals that have been in class - a cat on the sofa or a dog just walks through.

"I was teaching the girl in France and we heard sheep."

Fee has been fundraising to help her cover costs of Zoom and keep it going without interruptions throughout the day, letters and postcards of encouragement home and equipment.

Fee said: "Ballet is a passion, I do it because I love it. I have been doing this beside my full-time job."

To find out more, follow Fee Jeanes Ballet on Facebook.