YOUNGSTERS from Appleton and Stockton Heath will be among 100 talented dancers performing in one of the leading romantic ballets.

A professional production of Giselle will be presented by English Youth Ballet (EYB) at Preston's Charter Theatre tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday.

Appleton residents Izzy Webster, 14, who attends The Grange School, and St Matthew's CE Primary School pupil Natasha Hookins, 11, will be starring in the show.

They will be joined by Stockton Heath residents Emily Morris, nine, who goes to Broomfields Junior School and 15-year-old Bridgewater High School student Isabelle Morris.

Croft Primary School student Nina Hann, 10, from Birchwood, has also been selected to perform.

More than 200 young hopefuls turned up to auditions in Preston last November.

And since success at the selections the five Warrington dancers set their sights on the Giselle show.

The young cast will have rehearsed for just 10 days when they take to the stage but the audience can expect to witness a performance to remember.

EYB ballet mistress Julianne Rice-Oxley said: "The young dancers are treated like professional dancers during rehearsals – we work them hard but the results are fantastic.

"They learn what the life of a professional dancer is like. They are living their dream and they just love it."

Principal dancer Amy Drew will be dancing the leading role of Giselle and she has been training the cast in rehearsals.

She said: "I enjoy getting to know the young dancers.

"It is wonderful having such talented young people all in the same place and working together.

"I think that there is a unique and wonderful synergy that takes place because all the dancers learn so much from watching each other and from watching the professionals too.

"Our production of Giselle is set in the Edwardian era on an English country estate and it has a Downton Abbey feel.

"I think that the young dancers really enjoy telling the story as it is a dramatic ghost story."

The production will take place on Friday at 7.30pm, as well as on Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For further information visit 01772 804444 or e-mail prestonguildhall.com.