PRINCIPAL Scottish Ballet dancer Sophie Martin was joined by Dolly the the three-year-old cow to celebrate the company's new sponsor.

The year-long partnership with Graham's Dairy is the first of its kind for Scottish Ballet and will see the company supporting the activity of the dancers throughout the year.

Scottish Ballet Principal dancer, Sophie Martin from Cherbourg in France, visited the dairy farm in Stirling where she met Dr Robert Graham (Chairman) and Carol Graham (Marketing Director) – as well as some of the farm’s newest arrivals, including four-month-old calf Odette.

Dancers at Scottish Ballet will be gifted with products from the Graham’s range, including milk, yoghurts and cheese, to help keep their bodies in peak condition from studio to stage.

The partnership is the latest step in Scottish Ballet’s investment in the health and fitness of their dancers and ongoing commitment to dancer welfare.

The Company puts significant effort into injury prevention by giving dancers the support, tools, facilities and skills they need to be in control of their own body conditioning, such a multi-gym facility, therapeutic massage programme and Gyrotonic® equipment and instructors.

Graham’s will also work with Scottish Ballet to create a new series of short instructional clips entitled ‘Ballet Bites’.

With the help of the artistic team, the 90 second videos will guide viewers in a series of exercises designed to increase strength and flexibility.

The videos will be live on the Graham’s YouTube and social channels early 2016.

Carol Graham, Marketing Director at Graham’s The Family Dairy said: “We are delighted to announce our new health partnership with Scottish Ballet.

"We’re a family business with dairy farming in our blood and we know that the milk that goes into all of our products is packed with calcium and other essential nutrients, which are important to everyone, especially dancer’s bodies.

"As a family, we are big fans of the ballet, so the opportunity to support them in their preparations for an exciting 2016 was too good to pass up.

"We wish them a healthy, successful year and very much look forward to working with them.”

Christopher Hampson, CEO / Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, said: “We are delighted that Graham’s The Family Dairy have come on board as Scottish Ballet’s health partner.

"The health, wellbeing and nutrition of our dancers is of primary importance to us and I am thrilled that Graham’s will be gifting our dancers products as this will enable them to maintain peak fitness.”