ASPIRING cheerleaders are invited to leave their nerves at the door and join Oxford's only majorette troupe as it seeks to expand its membership base.

The Strawberry Fayre Majorettes are entering their 28th year and have been based at The Barn in Greater Leys throughout that time.

At its peak the group has seen up to 40 girls turn up on Wednesday nights for low-cost baton-twirling sessions, but now membership has dwindled to just 12.

It was founded and is still run to this day by Eileen Filer, a Cowley housewife who set up the group for her then-six-year-old daughter Sharon to have somewhere to train.

She said: "As the girls get older they leave to get jobs and go to university, and we want to build the troupe up again and go to more events.

"Every day is like day one for me. Even now, after 27 years, there's still something to learn every day; the uniforms change and the dance style has changed."

In the past the majorettes have entertained thousands at the Kassam Stadium, Witney Carnival, village fetes and Oxford's twinned city of Bonn in Germany.

Last Monday current members brought cheer to lonely people supported by Oxford charity the Archway Foundation at its regular meet-up in St Columba's Church in the city centre.

Mrs Filer, 64, said: "One man came up to me and said back in his day he used to teach in the army. He said how disciplined the girls were, he really enjoyed watching."

Youngsters aged six to 18 are invited to join the group to learn the art of baton-twirling, various throws, formation work and marching.

The troupe has kept its costs at £5 a session despite the fall in numbers, which pays for a costume, the venue and insurance, with families only required to buy a baton.

Mrs Filer said: "It's quite unique as it's the only troupe around and the girls make friends, and it boosts their confidence.

"If a girl isn't sure she can sit and watch at the first session, and if she likes it she can get up and have a go."

The Strawberry Fayre Majorettes also holds regular fundraising events throughout the year to pay for uniforms, socks, hair bobbles and other items.

Anyone interested in signing up can visit the troupe's Facebook page at tinyurl.com/hpah7hz or attend one of the Wednesday night sessions at The Barn in Nightingale Avenue from 6.30pm to 8.45pm.