TWELVE young dancers from the Vale will get the chance to perform alongside a professional company from Wales when they take part in the rarely-performed La Fille Mal Gardee.

The children are all part of the Symphony Dance School which operates out of Number 8 arts centre on Pershore's High Street which is also the venue for the production on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11.

They are performing with Ballet Russe, the classical ballet company of Wales and are based at the Grand Theatre in the Swansea.

All the children selected have performed together before at several festivals and have been working alongside expert dance teacher Irenie Gogoladze from Ballet Russe and teachers from the Symphony Dance School to ensure they are ready for the big show.

Two of the performers on the evening will be sisters Meg and Niamh Vincent and both admitted they were very excited about being a part of the production.

Meg, 11, said: "Even though it is hard work at the beginning as we have to learn the dances so quickly it is great fun and a fab opportunity."

Niamh, 9, added: "I like being part of the theatre and being on stage so I am really looking forward to the night."

La Fille Mal Gardee which translates awkwardly into English as The Poorly Chaperoned Daughter, is a traditional Russian ballet telling the story of an ambitious mother's attempts to marry her daughter into wealth and her daughter's desire to marry for love.

The performances are at 7.30pm on Friday, March 10 and at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, March 11. Ticket prices start at £8 and are available from the Number 8 box office on 01386 555488.