A YORK dance student has fought back from injury to qualify for a prestigious award.

Determined Rosie Pethullis, 15, a student at the Patricia Veale School of Ballet and Modern Dance, took a tumble down some stairs in May last year, the week she was taking her ballet examinations. The All Saints' School pupil broke her metatarsal - the same foot injury as footballer David Beckham - and was on crutches for two weeks. Rosie, who lives in Acomb Road, York, finally took the Royal Academy of Dance exam in November, and has received a distinction.

Updated: 11:31 Saturday, January 25, 2003