TWO sisters are dusting off their dancing shoes to compete at the Word Irish Dancing Championships this year.

Sorcha and Niamh Yates from Rishton have qualified for the competition which takes place in Dublin the week before Easter.

Sorcha, 15, competed at the prestigious event two years ago in Montreal, but Niamh is representing her country at this level for the first time.

Dad Neil Yates, 53, said: “It’s so special because they’re both going, it’s quite unusual for siblings to reach this level together but its their dream.

“We are immensely proud of the girls’ achievement in reaching their goal.

“They have competed all over the country to hone their competitive skills but to see them happy, and achieving makes it all worthwhile.”

Sorcha has been dancing sine the age of three when she was inspired by her teacher at Rishton pre-school.

Her sister Niamh, now 11, started Irish dancing at a similar age, inspired by her sisters interest.

They travel to Liverpool three times a week for training and to improve their skills.

The girls, who attend St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington, will compete at the tournament in Dublin from April 8 to 15 this year.

Contestants compete in different age groups against dancers from all over the world to be crowned world champion.

The girl's parents said they would be delighted if they could come away with a medal.

Mr Yates said: “Us and the girls are going in to it with no expectations, they just want to have a good time and enjoy it.

“It’s the Irish dancing equivalent of the Olympics, by qualifying they have established themselves in the top one per cent of participants globally.

“But they would love to win a medal.”

The girls, from Wharf Street, qualified at regional competitions across the country at the end of last year.

Both girls have been Irish Dancing from a young age originally with the Blackburn School and latterly with the Loughran School based in Liverpool.