A GROUP of young Lydney cheerleaders are giving a special performance on Wednesday this week at the celebrations for the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Gloucestershire.

The Severnbanks Cygnets are performing a routine for hundreds of people at Cheltenham Racecourse as part of the showcase for Gloucestershire talent.

The team, a small part of the cheerleading group at Severnbanks Primary School, has already been to the racecourse for a practice session.

Chief Cygnet Kessiya Pedley said: "I'm more excited than nervous. This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Kessiya said she joined the Cygnets because she enjoys dancing.

Cygnets coach Paula Johnson said they were delighted to have been selected to perform at such a prestigious event.

She said: "We went to Cheltenham for a practice and they were very good. They are all very excited."

The team is: Kessiya Pedley, Bliss Chilcot Blake, Emily Baldwin, Tia Wynn, Molly Popplewell, Paige Sherwood, Grace George, Emily Chadderton, Severn Bollen, Angel Hawkins and Jade Armstrong.