A music teacher who suffers from an incurable illness is doing her bit to help battle heart disease.

Tess Dunn, 24, of Tiptree, was diagnosed with a hole in the heart after collapsing with chest pains while studying for her A levels at Colchester Institute, aged just 17.

Last year, she took up pole-dancing in a bid to keep fit.

Her illness leaves her feeling breathless and tired, but she is determined to live life to full.

She is backing the British Heart Foundation’s Wear it - Beat it campaign next month.

Tess will be wearing red on February 6 and is encouraging all of her music students to do the same.

The charity is urging people to support the campaign during Heart Month and show their support by wearing red and hold events to fund life-saving research.

Tess said: “I wanted to get involved because I wanted to show my support for a charity that is already doing so much for those living with heart conditions.”