Darcey Bussell, the last world-class ballerina Britain has produced, starts her farewell to fans tonight.

The hugely popular star begins a sell-out programme of performances at Sadler's Wells in the run-up to her last appearance on stage at the Royal Opera House next month.

The show, Darcey Bussell - Farewell, broke box office records for ticket sales in a single day.

The 38-year-old was born in London and trained at White Lodge, the lower school of the Royal Ballet, from the age of 13. She went on to become one of the Royal Ballet's principal dancers, performing in classic ballets from Swan Lake to Giselle as well as more contemporary work.

In 1990, Bussell won both Dance & Dancers magazine's dancer of the year award and the Evening Standard Ballet Award. However, she announced 18 months ago that she would stand down from the Royal Ballet at the end of this, her 19th season.

"I have always wanted to end my full-time career still dancing the full classical repertoire at the standard to which I aspire," she said.

She will be joined at Sadler's Wells tonight by guest stars including Jonathan Cope, Tamara Rojo, George Piper Dances and the Ballet Boyz.

The Royal Ballet has provided costumes and sets for the show, which runs until Friday.

Bussell's final bow will come on 8 June when she appears in Gustav Mahler's Song Of The Earth in a mixed programme at Covent Garden.

She says she wants to spend more time with her husband, banker Angus Forbes, and their daughters Phoebe, five, and Zoe, three.

Bussell also plans to work on special projects, beginning with a £1 million song-and-dance show with Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins.