A HELENSBURGH dance teacher has been named in the New Year Honours list - and says it has been the hardest secret she has ever had to keep.

Margaret MacInnes, who has run the Margaret Rose School of Dance for more than 40 years, will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Highland dancing and the community in Helensburgh after being put forward for the award by friends and family.

The 65-year-old started up the popular dance school in 1972, at the age of just 19, and it has grown into one of the leading Highland dance groups in the country, with pupils achieving success at local, national and international level.

READ MORE: It's 102 titles and counting for Helensburgh dance star Eilidh

An accomplished teacher of Highland dancing, as well as ballet, tap and jazz, Margaret first found out about her Honours selection in the middle of November but has had to remain tight-lipped until now.

She told the Advertiser: "It has been the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep. Not even my daughter or my friends know.

"I’m very proud of the fact that it was friends and parents of children at the dance school who nominated me.

READ MORE: Kilcreggan man is made OBE in New Year Honours list

"It’s for myself and for the school, because it was through the school that most things happened which enabled me to get this award.

"It’s nice to be recognised for something I love doing."

Full coverage of Margaret's award will be in next week's print edition of the Advertiser, out on Thursday, January 2.

Click here for all the latest headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond