A LONG-serving dance teacher has marked her 90th birthday with cake, prosecco and a show-stopping dance performance.

Marion Cowper celebrated her milestone birthday at a surprise concert put on by dancers at Cowper School of Dance in St James’ Community Centre, Whitehaven.

Dancers put on a show-stopping performance for Marion to mark her 90th birthdayDancers put on a show-stopping performance for Marion to mark her 90th birthday (Image: Jim Davies)

Marion is the former principal of the dance school, which is more than 150 years old and is now run by her daughter, Adrienne Kelly.

Speaking about her mum’s 90th birthday celebrations, Adrienne said: “It was a pure surprise for her. 90 is a milestone. She still likes to attend some classes and see what’s going on.

Youngsters at Cowper School of Dance perform at St James' Community Centre for Marion Cowper's 90th birthdayYoungsters at Cowper School of Dance perform at St James' Community Centre for Marion Cowper's 90th birthday (Image: Jim Davies)

“We did it last week [the concert] and she was in absolute shock. She loved it. We had prosecco and cake. It was just a really lovely night.

“She’s still celebrating now. We had a lovely family meal, with family coming from Blackpool, Newcastle and Windermere. We had a great night.

Young dancers from Cowper School of Dance with former principal Marion Cowper as they celebrate her 90th birthdayYoung dancers from Cowper School of Dance with former principal Marion Cowper as they celebrate her 90th birthday (Image: Jim Davies)

“We had afternoon tea at Armathwaite Hall with 16 of the senior girls. The manager came in and started serenading her. I think she’s had the best birthday ever. She’s got flowers and cards everywhere.

“One of the grandmas made a cake for her and we got a lovely ballerina cake from Karen’s Bakes. It was absolutely beautiful. She’s had an amazing time. She doesn’t want it to end!

Marion Cowper, with her daughter Adrienne Kelly, who is the current principal of Cowper School of DanceMarion Cowper, with her daughter Adrienne Kelly, who is the current principal of Cowper School of Dance (Image: Jim Davies)

“She looks amazing. She’s proud to be 90 and still gets out and about. She’ll still get up and have a go [at dancing] and still does exercises.”

Cowper School of Dance was founded by Marion’s grandfather Oliver Cowper in 1871. The school has been run by successive generations of the family ever since.

Marion Cowper, right and her daughter Adrienne in a photo they had taken for a magazine in the 1970sMarion Cowper, right and her daughter Adrienne in a photo they had taken for a magazine in the 1970s (Image: The Whitehaven News archive)

Both Marion and Adrienne started dancing as soon as they could walk and share a passion which has run throughout their family.