Shop assistant Caroline Shaw will be high kicking her way to a dream job after proving that she really can-can dance.

The 19-year-old, of Walton Drive, Drighlington, has never visited France before but she has been chosen to perform in a new show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

She is to travel to the French capital in April to begin three weeks of training before taking part in the renowned cabaret's new show, Feerie.

"I saw an advertisement in The Stage newspaper for tall dancers and just applied," said Caroline, who is 5ft 8in tall.

She attended an audition at the Yorkshire Dance Centre in Leeds and beat off around 60 other hopefuls.

"I am very nervous as I can't speak French," she admitted. "I expect that will be in with the training though."

Dancing since the age of four, Caroline has been taught by Julie Hale from the Mullen School of Theatre and Dance in Churwell, which she still attends. She has also recently completed a B-Tec qualification in performing arts from Park Lane College in Leeds and has appeared in numerous shows, including three appearances with the Sunbeams at Bradford's Alhambra.

"My family are upset that I'm leaving but they also realise it's my dream so they are happy for me," said Caroline, who will also have to say a tearful goodbye to boyfriend Charlie during her six months in France.

"He's not very happy and I am upset, but at least I'm not going dancing in Alaska or on a tour of the Caribbean."

She currently works as a part-time sales assistant in You and Yours at the Crown Point Retail Park in Leeds, where she has been for a month.

"It's a bit different to what I am going to be doing," she said. "But I'm planning on staying there until I go to France."

Along with the rest of the troupe, Caroline will be expected to wear flamboyant costumes of feathers and sequins. "I've worn costumes to dance in before, but never like these," she said. "I'm quite looking forward to it though."

And although the nightspot is famous for its risque revues, she says she will definitely be keeping her top on.

Feerie, a show split into four scenes, features a troupe of hundreds of dancers. There are 1,000 costumes, sumptuous settings with shining colours and unique designs.