A GROUP of Wombwell High pupils is hoping to chant their way to a national cheerleading competition in August.

Fusion All Stars finished runners up at a South Yorkshire Schools' competition earlier this year and have now set their sights on becoming the nation's best.

Dance teacher, Victoria Bould, said: "I agreed to teach the girls because they wanted something to do to give them a focus. They are desperately trying to fund everything themselves, the entry fee, costumes and use their own pocket money to pay for the classes so I wanted to help.

"They are struggling to raise the funds but hope to take part in the 'The Nation's Best' competition, at Loughborough University later this year."

The 26-year-old instructor from Wakefield recently became a European champion in Germany alongside her own cheerleading team, the Leeds-based Aviator All-stars who have provisionally qualified for the cheerleading world championship in Florida next year.

The Wombwell- based group is looking to recruit more members between the ages of seven and 16 and has also enlisted the help of the Aviator's choreographer, Ryan Tyson, to teach new routines.

The national competition is on Saturday August 29.