SIX youngsters based at an Appleton dance school showcased their talents on the world stage after being spurred on by Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

Melissa Hales, 13, Fay Barnett, 13, Erin Bailey, 14, Lauren Hassall, 15, Sophia Stretford, nine, and Emily Barnes, nine, from Studio 54 Dance Academy at Pewterspear Green Sports Pavilion, competed in this year's UDO World Street Dance Championships in Glasgow.

Each qualified after excelling in regional events across the UK.

The event saw thousands of youngsters from across the globe do battle in solo and duo showdowns.

Melissa, who competed in the under 14s, was the star of the show after securing a top five finish in the solo finals.

Heidi Reading, director at Studio 54, said: "I am so proud of everything we are managing to achieve but especially proud of the girls from the elite squad who were at the finals.

"The standard of the dancers and choreography has definitely gone up and I was delighted at the performance of our girls, all of them will take a lot of experience from the weekend.

"Melissa was our finalist and she did an unbelievable job getting placed in the top five after competing against over 50 dancers."

Studio 54, which formed earlier this year, is sponsored by Triple S Sports and Entertainment Group, of which England international Rooney is a client.

And the England international tweeted his best wishes to the girls ahead of the performances, which the youngsters used as motivation during the championships.