A student from Reading has won BBC Young Dancer of the Year 2022.

Kendrick School Year 12 pupil, Adhya Shastry, saw off competition from 10 talented dancers aged 17 to 24 in the final aired earlier this month.

The contest saw Adhya compete in three gruelling rounds, followed by a week of intensive training at Darlington Manor, before she took to the stage at London’s iconic Roundhouse on April 24.

“I couldn’t believe I was going to perform in that gorgeous venue with those amazing people,” wrote Adhya for Kendrick School’s newsletter.

Read more: Residents clap back after Reading snubbed in city bid

“Through silent screams of joy and countless sweaty hugs, we made it to the end of the night where we performed our final group piece.

“Everyone gave it their best, and we all just had fun on stage being who we wanted to be and showing what we wanted to show.”

Contestants faced new and varied challenges in each round, including speaking to cameras, performing solo to a panel of judges and creative thinking.

At Darlington Manor, the 10 finalists were set test by Ivan Michael Blackstock challenges, one of which was to create a dance film, which Adhya based on The Office, capturing intense and awkwardly close head shots on camera.

Read more: The Reading waterpark you might not have heard of

The second challenge was an improvisational performance to an audience, before the finale took place six months later in the Roundhouse.

"I am honoured to have won BBC Young Dancer 2022,” said Adhya, who has been dancing Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, from nine years-old at the Reading performing arts group Kalakunj.

“I have learnt so much, and I now have a better understanding of who I am, what I stand for and how I like to dance."

The series comprises 4 episodes which can be seen on BBC Iplayer.