Dancing their way to success

Girls at Davison High School, in Selborne Road, beat off strong competition from schools from all over the country to win the southern regional final of Global Rock Challenge.

And if that wasn't special enough, the delighted girls and their teachers were presented with their trophy by His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, who had been invited along to the finals in Bournemouth.

Della West , the head teacher, said: "We are over-the-moon and everyone was really excited when we discovered we had won. There was a wonderful atmosphere on the night and we had a bus load of supporters who had come along to see us.

"We have taken part in the competition before, but this is the first time we have won in out-right."The competition is designed to prevent crime and drug abuse and aims to develop the dancers' self-esteem, teamwork and respect for others.

55 girls from the school performed "Deeds not Words", which highlighted aspects of the suffragette movement. The team was the only one in Sussex to be placed in the "premier league" and guaranteed a place in the final, after performing in the Sussex Heat in Crawley.

The girls were presented with a trophy and a framed gold CD for winning the overall competition, but they also won certificates for the best choreography and best lighting design.

Lauren Bravo, one of the winning dancers, said: "Meeting Prince Edward was very exciting, especially on top of winning the competition. We were all completely overcome.

"After all the hard work we had put into our dance, it was so great to win, especially as this is the last year I can compete.

"We're very proud of our fantastic dance teacher, Lucy Pocknell, who has been tireless in choreographing and rehearsing the piece. She has worked so hard over the six years that we've been doing it, and this is a great reward. The whole day was fab, as it isn't very often that you get to meet such a wide range of people from schools all over the South of England. There were lots of fun things happening throughout the day.

"And it's definitely an experience I would recommend, whether or not you come away with a cup at the end of it! The highlight of the day has to be the presentation at the end.

"I was lucky enough to be on the stage to collect the awards, and we were ecstatic when Davison was announced the winners. You can imagine the atmosphere in the coach on the way back to Worthing."

Mrs West went on to thank everyone who had supported the team, including Lucy Pocknell.