OKEHAMPTON Primary is one of 11 schools in Devon selected to appear in a dance gala at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter on March 12.

Headteacher Brian Cunningham said it was splendid news that the group of 28 children from Year Six had been invited to perform at the 3D Dance gala 'A Chance to Dance' because of the high quality of work they had shown.

The group, pictured right, was chosen after performing at one of the six sessions held around the county.

The project, which is in its fourth year, is funded by Devon County Council and Torbay Council and has involved 940 children this time around from primary and secondary schools and the Devon Youth Dance company.

There are three dimensions or levels to the scheme which range from professional choreographers working with the Devon Youth Dance company to produce pieces of dance to schools devising their own dance routines which is what Okehampton Primary School has done in the 'third dimension'.

The children from Okehampton — 27 girls and one boy — performed their piece of contemporary dance using music from 'Louder than the Radio' by 'Delirious' at Exeter's Barnfield Theatre in a session which saw nine schools performing.

A total of 54 groups took part and only 11 were selected for the gala.

PE teacher at Okehampton Primary School Natasha Flux and classroom assistant Brenda Bourne helped the children to put their ideas into action.

Mrs Bourne said the children had been practising since November and the performance had to be perfect.

'Any mistakes would have shown up because the children's movements were identical,' she said.

'They did extremely well and we are really proud of them.'

Mr Cunningham agreed: 'This is splendid news for Okehampton.

'We are absolutely delighted that their work has been recognised in this way.'

Co-ordinator of 3D Dance Wendy Collin from Chagford said the project was always very well supported by Okehampton Primary School.

'The children get a real buzz from it,' she said.