A PLYMOUTH dance teacher enjoyed a double success at the South West Pole Diva contest when she saw one of her customers triumph alongside her.

Sam Remmer, who runs the Art of Dance studio in Mutley Plain, successfully defended her title in the professional category, while Tamar Preston, 20, won the advanced amateur category.

Sam said: "It's great for Plymouth and for the Art of Dance to win both sections.

"Tamar has worked so hard to get to that standard. She's not been with us two years yet."

Tamar, a photography student at the University of Plymouth, took up pole dancing because she was looking for a new kind of dance that would keep her fit.

She goes to classes at the Art of Dance with her mother and sister.

She said: "It was my first competition so it was a bit daunting but it went really well. I'm very happy."

The event, in Bristol, consisted of a three to five-minute performance in front of judges, with marks awarded for strength, flexibility and continuity.

Sam likes to dance barefoot, but the rules of the competition didn't allow it, so she got out "the old high heels" to add a touch of elegance without compromising her grip on the pole.

She said the Pole Diva contest is aimed at dancers with a fitness background, not those from pole dancing clubs, and the "skimpy" costumes are necessary because many of the moves require the friction of skin on pole.

But any 'wardrobe malfunctions' lead to instant disqualification.

Only the winners qualified for the national Pole Diva final in Manchester in November.

Sam, who has maintained a top five position nationally over the last few years, hopes to go one better and win this time. A top three position will see her qualify for the world Pole Diva contest next year.

She will also be taking part in the Miss Pole Dance finals in London this year.

Sam writes a regular blog on The Herald's website, www.thisisplymouth.co.uk, and video footage of her winning dance can be seen on YouTube.