BALLET dancing youngsters from Bromsgrove have been given an opportunity to showcase their talent in a production of The Sleeping Beauty at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.

The young starlets will take to the stage with the nationally acclaimed English Youth Ballet for three performances after completing an intensive 10-day rehearsal timetable at Coppice Performing Arts School.

The seven dancers are Ella Knight,14, of South Bromsgrove High School, Aoife Shaw,12, of St John's Middle School, Charlotte Griffith,12, of Aston Fields Middle School, Rosie Southall,16, of South Bromsgrove High School, Francesca Jeacock aged eight, of Bromsgrove School, Libby Merchant aged nine of Rednall Hill Junior School and Katie Trow,15.

They competed with more than 250 others for a part in the play.

Aoife Shaw is set to play Princess Aurora's Friend in the performance her mum Joanne said: “She is very excited and very pleased she loves the ballet it is what she wants to do. It is a great opportunity for them.”

The company’s principal ballerina, Amy Drew, said: “The young dancers we are working with in Wolverhampton are doing so well. Working in a professional environment gives the students a unique insight into life in a ballet company.

“They are so lucky I wish there had been something like EYB when I was training. I feel very privileged to be a principal with the EYB as I get to work with some of the UK’s most talented young dancers. I find them incredibly inspiring.”

The dancers attend Siobhan Collins-McCarthy Academy, Elite Performing Arts and Richardz Dance & Fitness.

The production will run on Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20, at 7.30pm and on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

For tickets contact 01902 429212 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk.