TALENTED young dancers are sure to keep the professionals on their toes when they perform alongside them in an Easter pantomime.

Six dancers, aged from 15 to 20, from Aycliffe Dance Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, will share the stage with celebrities and professional dancers in Beauty and the Beast at Darlington Civic Theatre.

The pantomime, which runs from Wednesday, April 1, to Thursday, April 2, features Lee Latchford-Evans from Steps as the Prince and Beast and comedy legend Bobby Davro as Silly Billy.

Dani Harmer, who shot to fame as Tracy Beaker on CBBC and competed on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, will star as Beauty.

Emma Cox, principal of Aycliffe Dance Academy, said: “Our children played the Lost Boys and Tinker Bell last year and did so well. It’s fantastic the older girls are now getting an opportunity to perform alongside the stars.”

Dancer Chloe Hutchinson, 16, from Rushyford, added: “We’re very excited. I hope to become a dance teacher and this will look great on my CV.”

Performances take place at 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday and 1pm and 4.30pm on Thursday.

Tickets, priced from £18 for adults and from £16 for children, are available from 01325-486555 darlingtoncivic.co.uk