CROSSHILL dancers are revving up for a "once in a lifetime" opportunity when they will perform at the Silverstone Race Circuit for the 2022 Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

The Company School of Dance has been selected to show off their moves at the prestigious event in July, which will be watched by millions.

Since getting the news this week, local businesses have rallied round and raised over £5,000 to put them on track for the journey south.

Ashleigh Yule, who set up the company 14 months ago with pal Liam McKay, said the pupils – and parents – were relishing the chance to appear at the UK's top motorsport event.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. “If you think of everyone who competes in the Grand Prix, it is crazy to think my dancers are going to be out there performing.

"We are taking 50 to 60 dancers., 25 in the primary school group and just over 30 older ones.

“It will be an incredible experience. We have only been open for a year and two months and to achieve this is crazy. There were a lot of happy tears when we told everyone.”

Ashleigh said they have been overwhelmed by the reaction from the local community.

“After we found out, we put a Facebook message asking for local businesses to step in and help us get there. We have had about 10 businesses step up and donate £500 each,” she said.

“The community has just pulled through. There were over 200 shares on Facebook.

“It all happened pretty fast. I got in contact with someone and they were looking for dancers between six and 10. We went on a zoom meeting and ended up being able to get all my dancers there.”

The younger group will perform on the Friday while the older ones will be among 1,700 performers taking part in the flagship event on the Saturday.

Matt O’Reilly, operations director for Pro-Excel who organise the performances, said: “For the last 20 years our organisation has specialised in giving schools like The Company School of Dance unique opportunities to perform at some of the biggest sporting events in the world.

“Creating experiences that young people from all walks of life will remember for the rest of their lives is at the very heart of what we do at Pro-Excel.

"Our 2022 Formula 1 British Grand Prix project is no exception, with over 1,700 talented dancers, gymnasts and athletes from right across the UK performing one stunning show together.”