SIX youngsters from a Yelverton dance group are looking forward to taking to the big stage after their talents shone through at auditions recently.

Hannah Schofield, aged 13, beat off stiff competition to be accepted by the Plymouth Youth Dance Company.

The company of 18 dancers, directed by Jules Laville of the Barbican Theatre, will perform newly choreographed works at venues throughout the South West.

Hannah, who lives in Walkhampton, was one of 90 young dancers competing for just eleven places at the company audition, the only one to be held this year.

She did exceptionally well at her first major audition and is looking forward to working with a professional dance company.

And five other children who attend dance, drama and singing classes with the Yelverton St Paul's Church Hall Dance Group have been chosen to perform in the Plymouth Theatre Royal pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, this Christmas.

Toby Chapman, Kathryn Hair and Danielle Eva, who are ten, plus nine-year-old Jodie Hall and Amelia Hartigan, attended the auditions in Plymouth with more than 150 other young hopefuls.

They succeeded in being chosen to be part of two teams of 12 children, who will work alongside stars like Danny la Rue, Dave Benson Phillips and Britt Ekland.

Toby is particularly delighted with his successful audition. It is the second year running he has been involved with the Theatre Royal panto — last year he appeared in Aladdin with one of his favourite stars, Gary Wilmot.