FOUR young dancers from the same school will be displaying their poise and fancy footwork next month after being invited to attend prestigious competitions in Manchester.

The young hopefuls from Gladys Sutcliffe's Theatre and Dance School, Clitheroe, will be among thousands of other top dancers from all over the world to take part in the International Dance Teachers' Awards at New Century House on March 4 and 11.

Three of the dancers, Katie Cowburn, of Whalley, 15-year-old Samantha Johns and her 12-year-old brother Simon, of Edisford Road, Clitheroe, have been with Mrs Sutcliffe since around the age of three. The fourth dancer, 16-year-old Christina Chong, came to the studio only a few years ago and has been taught with the assistance of dance teacher Janet Sutcliffe, of Clitheroe.

Christina comes from Hurst Green where her grandparents still live, but currently lives in London where she is also modelling. Both Katie and Sam are adept in graded tap dancing and will be taking part in the Ken Dodd awards within the tap section of the competitions. Samantha is in graded theatre craft and Christina in major modern jazz.

"Each year around 200 dance students are selected from more than 4,000 possible candidates," said Mrs Sutcliffe.

"It is a great honour in itself to be selected so it does not matter if they do not win. To be in the competition is enough,"

The winner from each section will receive a cash prize and trophy and the opportunity to compete for the Stage Dance Council Awards in Bognor Regis later in the year. STREET BEAT: Samantha Johns (left) and Katie Cowburn step out in Clitheroe to celebrate their big-time invitation