Nine talented young dancers from Oxford are set to take on hoofers from around the globe at a world hip hop dance championships.

The seven girls and two boys have beaten hundreds of other children to be selected to represent England at the International Dance Organisation World Hip Hop Championships in Bremen, Germany.

All nine of the children, who are aged between eight and 13, train with KC's School of Dance at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre each week.

The teeny-boppers had to master tricky dance combinations including hot step, top rock and freeze moves in order to win a place in the 100-strong England team.

Each of the dancers will compete against the cream of junior talent from countries including the USA, France and Poland at the champ- ionship finals, which take place between June 11 and 16.

Up to 7,000 spectators will scrutinise the children's one and two-minute dance routines in group, pairs and solo events.

The judges will then mark them on moves including body locking and popping and also on their overall look and personality.

Kelly Chandler, the children's dance trainer, said: "I am extremely proud of them - I could not be more proud of them.

"It is a massive achievement. Good dancers need flexibility, personality and determination, and they have got to believe in what they do. They need absolutely everything to get selected."

Ms Chandler took nine dance pupils to last year's championship finals, and saw a team of five nine- and 10-year-olds come sixth in the junior group event.

Kelsei Waite, 11, from Nettlebed Mead, Greater Leys, was one of the group, and is hoping to better her performance at this year's finals.

The Windale Primary School pupil said: "I am over the moon to be going back to Germany. It is really exciting. We did it last year and it was just great.

Kelsei's mum Alison added: "The dance group is brilliant. It keeps them off the streets. It is a great achievement to go back for a second time - hopefully they will do even better this year."

Elaine Eadle, from Pipit Close, Greater Leys, whose 10-year-old son Kyron Anthony is competing in the under-12s solo event, said: "The girls love him. He just absolutely loves dancing.

"He has given up football and everything for it."