TWO teenage line dancers have toe-tapped their way across Europe to become international champions, raising cash for numerous charities along the way.

Now Amanda Clixby, 13, and Amy Maxwell, 15, have been nominated for The Northern Echo's Positive Young People Awards for their hard work in helping others.

The friends, both pupils at Haughton School, began line dancing five years ago and have had huge success at competitions all over the country.

Last October they represented England and picked up first prize in the duo category at the line dancing championships in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. But it was for their tireless charity work which Amanda's grandmother Joy Clixby felt they deserved an award.

"In between competitions they have done so much charity work, always giving their own time freely in order to help others," she said.

The charities which have benefited from the girls' efforts include St Teresa's Hospice, St Teresa's Church and Aycliffe Village Show.