We're in top ballet dance-off

The youngsters, who are all members of Harlequin Stage School, based at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club, will compete for the Young Dancer 2008 title in the Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition.

Lauren McEneaney, aged 11, and 13-year-olds Holly Adams and Thomas Edwards, secured their places in the finals after the third of four regional heats at Birmingham Hippodrome.

They will now join those already chosen from the Woking and Manchester heats in the final, to be held in London on Sunday, April 13 at the Bloomsbury Theatre.

Paula Dymock, who runs Harlequin Stage School, said: "To get three dancers in to the final is a huge achievement and I congratulate them. I would like to thank Miss Jenny Adcock, who taught them the variations.

"We will be going to watch them and give them our support and we are all very proud of them."

Held biennially, the Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition is the Royal Academy of Dance's flagship national event, presented in association with the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation, and with the support of International Dance Supplies.

Hundreds of young dancers have entered the competition and more than 100 competed in Birmingham for only six places in the final at each Level.

The aspiring young dancers performed in front of an audience of family, friends, dance professionals and dance enthusiasts.

Marion Tait, Ballet Mistress at the Birmingham Royal Ballet and Desmond Kelly, Assistant Director at the Birmingham Royal Ballet, acted as guest judges in the Birmingham heat.

Marion Tait said: "The candidates have been asked to demonstrate the qualities that make a great performer. Margot Fonteyn's line and the way she drew an audience in with her eyes alongside Rudolf Nureyev's dynamics and his ability to electrify an audience, are qualities that make great performers.

"It is very fitting that the competition is named in their honour."