AS THE dust settled on a sensational Britain's Got Talent performance, one of Oxford's biggest dance schools said they were "ecstatic" despite not making it to the final.

On Thursday night a 13-strong troupe from Messy Jam, dubbed Elite Squad Royalz, stormed the stage with a royal-themed street dance routine set in the middle of a tea party.

Although judges were impressed by the routine – including the notoriously miserly Simon Cowell, who called the group "fantastic" – the team failed to gain enough public votes to secure a place in tonight's final.

But Messy Jam founder Ellisha Peart said taking part in the live show had been a privilege in itself.

She said: "Everybody is actually overjoyed. I thought I was going to come back to sad kids but they were so hyper; they absolutely loved it."

On the night angelic solo singer Jasmine Elcock, 14, and impressionist Beau Dermott, 12, were guaranteed a place in the final with dog act Trip Hazard potentially in the running if it wins the 'wildcard' vote.

The "wholesome" Presentation School Choir came all the way from Ireland but also did not make the cut on the night.

Miss Peart said: "I was backstage next to the choir; they were crying their eyes out, absolutely devastated.

"But ours were buzzing and happy. It's an achievement just to get on stage and it wasn't about the competition for us, it was about putting Oxford on the map."

Yesterday the youngsters enjoyed a final day of shopping in London before returning to Oxford to prepare for a performance at Common People tomorrow.

Miss Peart said: "I hope we have encouraged children to dance and shown that regular kids can get up and do something like this.

"We still have all our usual fetes, Witney Carnival and Cowley Road Carnival, and it's really important that we keep that support."

Ahead of the performance, city councillor Linda Smith – who represents the Blackbird Leys ward – donated £500 from her ward allowance to Messy Jam to pay for new sound equipment.

It is hoped the money saved will also be used to keep subsidising poorer children who cannot always afford the fees.

Ms Smith, who was at a Labour Group meeting during the performance but followed the whole thing on her mobile phone, said: "I cast my five votes on my phone using the app while decisions were ongoing. They absolutely deserved to get into the final and did everybody proud."

Ms Smith, who is also the board member for leisure, parks and sport, said she was aware of Messy Jam's long-running struggle for a permanent base of its own in Oxford.

She said: "It's something I really want to help them with. I don't know about a place entirely of their own, but it would be great for them to have a permanent home where they can hold their classes, feel at home and have some storage space. I'm going to be working closely with them to achieve that."