A CHEERLEADING coach from East Lancashire is set to lead a UK team to the World Championships in Thailand.

Fayhe-Louise Mitchell, from Britannia, Rossendale, coaches the Bacup-based Pioneer Cheerleaders and has been selected to take charge of Britain’s Cheer Dance team at the International Federation of Cheerleading World Championships in Bangkok in November.

The 22-year-old has been appointed as joint head coach along with former Team UK colleague Gina Burrows.

The pair competed together at the 2008 world championships in Florida.

Bacup’s Pioneer Health and Fitness Studio will be the UK Cheerleading Association’s (UKCA) North West hub for dancers once the selection process is concluded at the end of January.

Fayhe-Louise formed Pioneer Cheerleaders in January 2009 after a spell with Burnley FC’s Bees’ Knees squad.

She described the prospect of heading to another international event as hugely exciting.

She said: “The 2008 tournament was the greatest experince of my life so far. I’m considered quite young for a coach but I’m so excited to get going.

“We were supposed to have auditions here in Bacup but because of flood damage to the gym we have got the girls to send us video footage instead.

“I’m working with the senior squad which is girls aged 16 and over and it’s huge responsibility and one I’m looking forward to.”

Fayhe-Louise, a level four UKCA coach, led her Bacup squad to more than 20 trophies and several national titles in the Pioneers’ first year of competing alone.

She was named the governing body’s community coach of the year in 2010 and guided the Pioneer senior team to the European Championships in Slovenia in 2011 She learnt her dancing and theatre skills at various Valley institutions including Bacup Youth Theatre Society, Bacup Adults’ Operatic and Drama Society and the Debra McLaren School of Dance in Rawtenstall.