TWO groups of dancers from the same Worcester performing school are preparing to take to the stage in front of Simon Cowell in this year's Britain's Got Talent contest.

The national competition, which last year spawned international singing sensation Paul Potts, seeks the best of British to perform at the Royal Variety Show.

Youngsters from Harlequin Stage School travelled to Cardiff where they were chosen to go through to the next round. Principal Paula Dymock said: "Both young and senior groups have got through to perform in front of Simon Cowell and the other judges later this month, which is just fantastic.

"The girls are all very excited and we are taking a whole load of supporters with us when we go back to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on either Thursday, January 24, or Friday, January 25."

Mrs Dymock said the girls had asked to enter the show after watching last year.

There are 46 children from Harlequin - which meets at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club - involved in the contest. They are aged from nine to 16 years old.

Mrs Dymock said: "The younger group will be dancing an Irish modern dance and the older ones a more up-tempo rock number.

"Some of them have already been filmed in the initial stages and are excited about being on TV and hopefully meeting Ant and Dec. We are keeping our fingers crossed."