A DANCE instructor is launching a new career - as a high-flying professional wrestler.

Courtney Stewart is used to being in the spotlight thanks to her day job and her love of acting.

But the 20-year-old from Glasgow faces the biggest challenge of her life tonight when she takes to the ring for the first time as a pro wrestler.

Courtney is preparing to do battle in the 'War of Independence' show at Govan's Pearce Institute - billed as a Scotland v England clash.

She has wrestled at one small event before, a show for family and friends only.

As a young girl, Courtney was a fan of America's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), or the World Wrestling Federation as it was known then.

And when, as an acting student at Langside College, she played the part of a wrestler, she fell in love with the sport.

The Balornock girl said: "When I was preparing for the part, instructors from the Scottish Wrestling Alliance (SWA) came to show us some moves and I just became totally hooked.

"I started going to training and in the last six months I've really stepped it up and decided to give it a go.

"The event in Govan will be very popular, like all SWA shows are, and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I perform under the name 'Courtney' and my character is one of the good guys.

"Because I'm a dancer, I'm quite flexible, which helps with my moves in the ring."

Being female has not hindered Courtney's progress as a pro wrestler.

She said: "There are more girls than you would think, and that's thanks to the big-name women in WWE.

"SWA welcomed me from the start and I love being a part of it."

Courtney will compete in a tag team match with her partners Dave Conrad and Ryan Griffin.

They will face SWA tag team champions, The Forgotten and Nikki Storm.

Tickets, priced at £10, are available on the door.

See wwwscottishwrestling.co.uk for more information on wrestling in Scotland.

stef.lach@heraldandtimes.co.uk