THE Clarets' cheerleaders have proved they really are the Bees' Knees by winning first prize at a national cheerleading competition.

Two teams - under 12 and under 15 - performed in the Pom Dance category at the UK Cheerleading Association National 2004 Competition, held at the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday.

The older group impressed the international panel of judges so much they scooped first prize and the younger girls continued the success by winning third prize in their age group.

Head coach Michelle Williamson, 36, said: "We have never done anything like this before and we did not know what to expect but the girls did amazingly well.

"We can't believe it - we are still in shock."

Michelle, who set up the Bees Knees two years ago when she started working at Turf Moor leisure centre's dance studio, said the 24 girls chosen to take part in the competition had six weeks to learn the routines, which were devised by Michelle's assistant coaches Suzanne Waterworth and Elizabeth Drain, both 18.

They also had new outfits made for them by Harlequins, of Barrowford.

She said: "The girls have worked really hard and it all paid off on Saturday. We have won a huge trophy - the only trophy the club has seen this season.

"The girls got to run on to the pitch with their trophy at the last game of the season on Sunday, which was fantastic."

Michelle said they would be entering more of the different categories in the 2005 national competition and hope to improve on their success this year.

Since the Bees Knees was formed it has gone from strength to strength and currently has more than 150 members. A further recruitment drive will take place at Turf Moor on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30.

And last year the girls performed in front of a 26,000-strong crowd, including some of the world's best cheerleaders, at the opening ceremony of the Cheerleading World Championships at the MEN Arena in Manchester.