THREE talented youngsters from Bromsgrove have been specially selected to dance with a prestigious ballet company.

Sophie Scotchford, Jennifer Lancaster and Katie Trow managed to overcome fierce competition from more than 300 young hopefuls at an audition to dance with the English Youth Ballet (EYB).

Sophie, 15, from Stoke Heath, Jennifer, 15, from Lickey End, and Katie, 13, from Rubery, are now set to appear in a new adaptation of Swan Lake at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

The dancers will appear alongside EYB’s international principal artists in the professional production and experience the life of a professional ballet dancer.

This is set to include working at the North East Wolverhampton Academy for 10-days of intense rehearsal.

Sophie, who attends South Bromsgrove High School and trains at Elite Performing Arts, has been dancing since she was four.

She said: “Swan Lake is my favourite ballet and I am really excited about being in it and dancing as a swan.”

Ben Garner, EYB company manager, said: “Working with EYB will be one of the highlights of these talented young dancer’s careers, to date.

“The audiences watching will be seeing both top international principal artists and the best up-and-coming young talent from their region, sharing the stage.”

Swan Lake is being performed at the theatre on September 21-22.

For tickets call the box office on 01902 429212 or see grandtheatre.info.