A TROUPE of Ribble Valley dancers strutted their stuff at Disneyland Paris against some of the UK’s best.

The Wilpshire dancers took part in the annual event which saw more than 400 entries compete for the title.

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The 12 members of Chantelle’s Dance Academy raised the money for the trip themselves and had been working on a series of group and individual routines since September.

They performed a mix of dancing styles, ranging from ballet to street dancing, for the judges. The group, whose ages range from 11 to 20, were taking part in their third competition.

Mum-of-one Chantelle Leyland-Dewhurst, 29, who runs the group, said: “I applied to the organisers last year to see if we could be given a place and luckily we were granted one.

“The trip was a fantastic opportunity for the girls and they had worked very hard since September to get their routines right.

“I have around 50 people on the books of the academy at Wilpshire Methodist Church.

“But not everybody was able to go because of the cost that was involved.

“With this kind of event it is great that whatever would happen the girls would have a great time. We were able to have two days in the park as well.

“I am very proud of them and they have all done well in their previous two competitions.

“The team had to raise around £1,000 for the trip as part of a special Disneyland Paris package. But the trip was worth every penny.

“It is great that the girls were able to compete alongside some of the best dance schools in the country in such a different location.

“I hope that this is the start of good things to come.”

The Shear Brow resident has been running dance classes in the Ribble Valley village for the last seven years.

She employs Sarah Ryan and Antony Batey as teachers.