A MOTHER has sold her house and is living in a caravan to send her real-life Billy Elliot son to ballet school in Chester.

Eileen Morgan, 44, desperately needed cash after gifted 11-year-old James won a place at the renowned Hammond School in Hoole Bank.

But although the school provided a bursary to cover some of the cost, single mother Eileen still faced a £12,000-a-year bill, which covers his tuition fees, uniform and ballet shoes.

So to make ends meet, she bravely sold her three-bedroom semi in Manchester and moved James and his brother Edward, eight, into a small caravan on a trailer site, close to the Cheshire Oaks complex in Little Stanney, Ellesmere Port. A canvas awning gives them extra living space.

James has been mad about ballet since he was seven and this week got to grips with new ballet moves for The Chronicle at a dance class at The Hammond.

His story mirrors that of fictional character Billy Elliot, played in the award winning 2000 film by young actor Jamie Bell.

Like Elliot, James began his formal ballet training in a class inhabited solely by girls.

He was the only boy to attend a Saturday ballet group based at a local Girl Guides' hut and braved bullying and teasing from youths living near his then home in Heald Green, Cheadle, near Manchester.

But teachers encouraged him and this year he won a place at The Hammond - the most acclaimed specialist dance academy outside London.

James joined the school in September after sailing through an audition earlier this year.

This week, his remarkable story was being sought by Sky news, Richard & Judy, GMTV and Channel 5 for the Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin show.

But despite attracting publicity, James' mother hopes someone will come forward and help her to fund her son's dream of becoming a professional ballet star.

'All the publicity is great but I really do need to find a sponsor who will be able to help me fund James' place at The Hammond School for the next five years,' she said.

'The bulk of the money from the sale of my house in Manchester will go towards the purchase of a new two-bedroomed house in Upton, Chester. As a single mother I won't be able to get much of a mortgage.

'It will cost me £12,000 a year to continue sending James to The Hammond School. I will not be able to fund another five years myself.'

Before she sold her home in Manchester, Mrs Morgan sat up night after night writing to big companies and celebrities in a bid to secure funding for her son.

However, companies in Manchester would not provide funding because her son was moving to a school in Chester and firms in Chester refused because the family was living in Manchester.

'The Hammond kindly provided James with a bursary but I don't know how long it will last for,' said Mrs Morgan.

James Morgan began dancing around the house when he was three but his mother did not realise it would lead to greater things.

'James loved the ballet classes at the Girl Guides hut in Heald Green when he was seven,' she said.

'Some boys did attend but they did tap. James preferred ballet. I thought it was amazing that he wanted to do it every week.

'All the girls in his class thought he was wonderful. The class took part in a charity show in aid of St Anne's Hospice in Cheadle and I remember a member of the audience saying to me 'Oh, look. A boy ballerina'. James was so proud.'

Despite his success, it was never a guarantee that James would gain a place at The Hammond.

'After his audition day, I told him 'Whatever happens, you have had a good experience,' said Mrs Morgan.

'I could not believe it when we were told James had been successful. Many of the children at the audition day did not get in.'

And Mrs Morgan does not regret selling her Manchester home. 'When you have a child with a special talent you have to do everything to make it happen for them,' she said.

'I felt selling the house was the only real option. James has now completed his first half term and is thoroughly enjoying himself.'

She added: 'He is committed to becoming a professional dancer.'

Sarah Durrant, head of dance at The Hammond School, Chester, this week praised James' ability and his mother's brave house sale. Anyone wishing to support James Morgan and his family can contact Chronicle reporter Marc Baker on 01244 606411. All messages will be passed onto the family.