MOTHER has praised a teacher for "bringing joy" to the life of her daughter who has Asperger syndrome.

Georgia Wootton, aged 11, who attends Ipsley CE RSA Academy, describes her performing arts teacher Leah Alcock as her "hero".

Miss Alcock, who also runs a choir and performance troupe after school club, is currently helping prepare Georgia and her other pupils for a show entitled the Arrow Valley Pyramid Choir at the end of the month.

Georgia had been taught by Mrs Alcock since last year but, due to her disorder, it had taken Georgia a while to come out of her shell.

Her mother Stacy said: "Miss Alcock goes above and beyond. She is absolutely fabulous.

"This lady has bought so much joy to my daughter’s life.

"Miss Alcock is amazing and has made Georgia feel good about herself.

"She has arranged extra rehearsals and done their hair and makeup and this is all in her own time.

"She can be quite strict with them too as she wants them to reach her potential. But she just can’t do enough."

She added: "Because of Georgia’s Asperger’s, she struggles in mainstream education but music just takes her into another place.

"It makes me feel relived in one perspective, for her to have this release. She comes home with a smile on her

face. It is wonderful. It is just magical. It takes away all the stress."

On the up-and-coming performance, Stacy said: "Georgia can’t wait, she is so excited. She turns into someone else when she performs.

"The vulnerable, shy, quiet girl most people see turns into somebody different, as if she goes into character- it is wonderful to see, to see a confident young woman."

Arrow Valley Pyramid Choir is heading to the Palace Theatre’s main auditorium on  Tuesday, March 28 with performances at 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

Tickets are selling fast, to book visit redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk.