By Kevin Donnachie

TEENAGER Pamela Maher has the world at her feet after becoming the first Scot to take a top Irish dancing title.

The 17-year-old, from Hogganfield, beat tough competition to become the European Irish dancing champion in her age group.

And today she said it was the best feeling in the world.

She said: "It was a genuine shock when I won, I didn't expect to win at all because the standard of all the other dancers at the competition was so high.

"All of the other dancers were so supportive of me and are really happy for me when I won.

"I didn't expect it to be me who won but it was the best feeling in the world."

Pamela, who attends the Eireann Go Bragh Irish dance school, won the title in the Under-19 category at the World Irish Dance Association's European Championships.

The competition, which was held in Duisburg, Germany last month, is the second time in the past year she has been successful in a dancing competition.

She took second place in the Under-18 Category of the British Open Championship last September in Stratford upon Avon, also organised by the World Irish Dance Association.

What makes Pamela's success story in Germany even more incredible is that she was competing in a wider age group when she came second place in the British Open Championship.

Pamela's family is immensely proud of what she has achieved.

She said: "All my family were really pleased for me, my mum cried."

Pamela has been dancing for nine years, but has only been a member of Eireann Go Bragh for little over a year.

Not only is the win a huge achievement for Pamela, it is also a major coup for the school.

Club secretary Greg Hine praised Pamela.

He said: "The standards far surpass what you would expect from a small club."