DANCERS from across the region will carry their country's hopes at an international dance competition in Hollywood.

Twenty-eight girls from the North-East will make up nearly half the All-England Dance Team.

They will perform routines on different dance styles including ballet, jazz and modern music, and will take on rival troupes from Australia, Canada, Scotland, Ireland and all the US states.

The girls will also perform in a production in Disneyland, and the older girls will audition for the American Ballet school and the Young America dance organisation.

Amanda McGlynn, the organiser of the England team, said the fact that 28 out of the team of 65 were from the region was a tribute to the North-East.

She said: "There is so much talent in the North-East compared to other parts of the region, it is untrue. I am not just saying that, the North-East really is a hotbed of dance talent."

Seven of the team come from Teesside and train in South Shields, South Tyneside, every week, including five-year-olds Meghan Davison, of Ingleby Barwick, and Chloe Gray, of Hartburn, both near Stockton.

One of the Teesside girls, Katherine Bunnett, 19, of Redcar, who is preparing to go to university, said: "It's so exciting to be going to America, especially with all the chances to perform and audition."

Other Teesside members of the team are Toni Guillot, 15, of Norton, near Stockton, Jessica Bancroft, 15, also of Norton, Rebecca Lynas, 17, of Middlesbrough, and Kyra-Gene Craggs, ten, of Middlesbrough.

The girls, who will perform a cockney pearly queen routine as one of their routines, will fly out on Friday, April 2.

The girls have raised £20,000 between them so far for the trip, but need more sponsorship.