Sarah Fenn-Tye has lived up to her title of line dancing Super Star.

Sarah, of Crawley, took two first places in the pairs competition at the world championships in The Netherlands and also scooped second place in the individual contest.

About 4,000 people took part in the event near Eindhoven.

Sarah said: "In line dancing, I am what is called a Super Star, which is quite embarrassing but means I am at the top level.

"I am the first female in Europe to win in the pro couples category, which is quite a big breakthrough.

"A lot of the top competitors are from the UK and the competitive scene is growing.

"In The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Spain and Italy, it's massive.

"In the UK, it has possibly suffered from too much of the cowboy image, which is why I call my classes modern line dance.

"It is a really nice replacement for low-impact aerobics."

Sarah originally trained as a ballroom dancer but now teaches line dancing at Livewire Dance Club in Cuckfield.

Despite her success, Sarah said it could be difficult to train, particularly in the couples' event, as her partner lives in the United States.

She said: "My partner Tony Lee actually lives in New Jersey.

"Luckily he was also a ballroom and Latin dancer. It is only when there are tricks in the routine that we have to work on them. Some people find couples' dancing very hard but I have been doing it since I was five."

Pupils taught by Sarah also performed well at the world championships. Her niece and protege, Elizabeth Fenn-Tye, of Patcham, Brighton, has already won five first places at the age of ten.

Competitions involve dances in a number of different categories. These include a waltz, a Latin dance such as a cha-cha, a lilt, which is a jive or polka, and a funky dance.

Sarah said: "It is very enjoyable and flamboyant and exciting. The music is gradually becoming a mixture of country and non-country.

"I am actually not a great country fan but acts like Shania Twain and The Mavericks make good music."