A group of young dancers has been selected to represent England at the Dance World Cup this summer.

The girls, Sophie Ridley, Molly Harris, Jodie Charles and Megan Cowlam from Stevenage, Billie Freer of Letchworth GC and Holly Wakefield of Watton-at-Stone will all travel to Austria for the week-long contest in June.

They qualified as part of a 30-strong team from the Dance Design Theatre Arts school in Welwyn GC and will join another 50 girls from across the country to compete against 14 other nations in a range of dance styles.

Jodie, 16, will perform a modern duet with Billie, as well as another duet and two solos. She said she is looking forward to competing as well as travelling abroad, although it will mean missing her end of school prom at Nobel.

“I’m really looking forward to competing as part of the England team. It’s so exciting to go to Austria as I have not had a holiday since I was four,” she said.

Billie, 15, said it feels “amazing” to have been chosen. “We all train so hard - to find out we will be representing England is such an honour and something we will all never forget.”

The families of those selected must fund the trip and Dance Design is seeking financial support. If you can help the girls, contact the school via www.dancedesigntheatrearts.co.uk