Angmering dancers limber up for O2 spectacular

FLEET-FOOTED dancers from Angmering are readying themselves for their biggest competition to date – a live performance at the O2 Arena in front of former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.

Students from The Angmering School stormed through local and regional heats of the Dance: Make Your Move? competition last month, out-stepping rivals from across Sussex and Kent.

Now, the school’s 23-strong team of dancers is preparing for the daunting challenge of performing in the national finals at London’s iconic O2 Arena, on Wednesday (July 18).

Jo Hodson-Prior, dance teacher and choreographer at the school, said: “The students have worked so hard and it is an amazing achievement and opportunity to perform at the O2.

“In both the heat and regional finals, we had no expectations, but wanted to feel proud of the performance and enjoy the experience.”

The group, made up of youngsters from years-seven and 11, will be performing a six-minute routine inspired by the humanitarian work conducted by the Red Cross, which is helping to organise the event.

The routine, entitled “We’ll Meet Again”, follows a band of soldiers during the Second World War, through to them being reunited with their loved ones, back home.

Mrs Hodson-Prior said: “An incredible 15 per cent of all the Red Cross’ work is still helping families affected by the Second World War, which was something that really touched the students.

“We’ve tried to make a contemporary piece about it.”

The winning group will each receive a workshop from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance at either the academy’s headquarters in London or at their own schools.