Could Blackpool schoolgirl be Britain's bendiest 10-year-old?

Lacey Dunne, from Bispham, is a training contortionist, who only found her love for the rather unusual hobby in lockdown last year.

Within that time she has managed to amass more than 30,000 online fans through her social media platform contortion_crazy_lacey.

In a further twist, her extraordinary skills have been achieved through virtual lessons with star of the contortionist world - London based Pixie Le Knot, who she discovered through Instagram.

Actress and acrobat Pixie, 33, real name Jennifer Keith, who has featured in hit series Game of Thrones and films The Devil Inside, My Feral Heart, It Never Sleeps and Mowgli, has trained youngsters all over the world and turned to online training to teach her skills after her own performing work was put on hold, owing to the pandemic.

She describes Lacey's skills as 'incredibly unique.'

Moor Park Primary School year five pupil Lacey is currently combining her home schooling efforts with up to two hours strength training a day and has lessons three to four times a week with Pixie to perfect her hand balancing to triple body folds.

Lacey said: "I had seen Pixie online and it was something I just wanted to give a try as there was not a lot to do in lockdown. I really love it. I started with dancing and then moved to acro-dance and it was then I realised my spine was quite bendy.

"I have performed for my friends and teachers and teachers but a lot of them at first didn't know what contortion was."

Mum Sadie Dunne added: "She has really good self-discipline and has trained so hard. It's amazing what she and Pixie have achieved together, she really does love her sessions."

In late summer last year the pair had the brief opportunity, when restrictions were lifted to visit Pixie's home studio.

Pixie, who trained in dance and gymnastics before aerial circus training in her late teens, said: "I've trained lots and lots of youngsters but the flexibility of Lacey is unique. She is very, very talented and has impressed with how hard she trains. Her progress in the last year is amazing.

"Her strength is extraordinary but then there are all the balance and dance elements to learn too. Contortion is still a rare skill in the UK with probably less than 10 professionals.

"Lacey and her mum started sharing some of moves and skills on Instagram and it just blew up."

For more on Pixie Le Knot follow her at https://www.instagram.com/pixieleknot/Support us and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.