A young Norfolk couple are proving they have the passion and determination to succeed in the world's most glittering ballrooms.

Eastern Daily Press: Franklin Woods, aged 12, and Darcy Amiss, 13, have achieved their ambition of dancing alongside the best dancers in the world at the WDC Ballroom and Latin World Championships in Paris.Franklin Woods, aged 12, and Darcy Amiss, 13, have achieved their ambition of dancing alongside the best dancers in the world at the WDC Ballroom and Latin World Championships in Paris. (Image: Archant)

Franklin Woods and Darcy Amiss found themselves firmly in the world's top 40 dancers at the WDC Ballroom and Latin World Championships in Paris at the weekend.

Brimming with confidence the dazzling duo are now hoping to dance their way towards a top 20 world ranking.

Franklin, aged 12, and Darcy Amiss, 13, have only been dancing together as juniors for five months.

The Flegg High School pupil first met Darcy at the Miller Dance Centre, having taken his first steps on the road to dancing success at the age of four.

When the local tap and ballet schools said he was too young, his mum found a ballroom and Latin school in Ludham, run by Jenny Douse that was willing to teach him.

Darcy, who is a student at the Norwich High School began her dancing career with ballet and tap.

However, with the success of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing Darcy realised that her first love was with ballroom and Latin dancing.

Darcy then began lessons at the Miller studio and it became apparent that she had a talent and a desire to compete.

The couple train together for six hours a week in Norwich, and are coached by teachers at the Miller Dance Centre, and Peter Nash in Southend.

They hope to emulate the success of their coaches Luke Miller and his partner Laura Robinson, who are currently British U21 Champions, and were placed third in the U21 category this weekend in Paris.

Franklin and Darcy aim to break into the world's top 20 next year when they move up to the U16 category.

Competing in both ballroom and Latin categories is a massive commitment and requires huge dedication, training and travel.

As well as training in Norwich together, the couple regularly travel to Southend for lessons, and all over the country for competitions.

Their next major competition is the Champions of Tomorrow event at the Blackpool Winter Gardens in January.

To achieve their aim Franklin and Darcy know that they will need to compete at all the major British events, and as many European ranking events as possible. Both Flegg High School and Norwich High School have been fully supportive of the couple, for which both their families are extremely grateful.

Franklin and Darcy are looking to raise sponsorship to help them realise their dancing ambition, and would welcome support however small via methuenr@gmail.com.