TWO Chippenham school children will fly to Slovenia this weekend to compete in the 2015 ECU European Cheerleading Championships.

Joe Picter, 16, and his dance partner Molly Gale, 13, are both members of Chippenham cheerleading squad Chippenham Vibes, part of the Emily Alner Academy of Dance.

The pair will represent England at the cheerleading and cheer dance championships in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana this weekend.

Molly’s mother, Samantha Gale, of Monkton Park in Chippenham, said: “It’s not very often you get two school children from a fairly small market town picked to represent England.

“I think we are nervous but we are absolutely delighted they have been given this opportunity.  

“It’s not every day you get to represent your own country. We have told them to enjoy the experience.

Joe finishes at Abbeyfield School this summer and has a scholarship to study at the Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts from September while his jazz duet partner Molly is at Hardenhuish.

Ms Gale also paid tribute to the dancing pair’s coach, Emily Alner, and deputy coach Samantha Doyle, both of whom will fly out with the duo today (Friday).

She added: “Emily Alner works tirelessly week in and week out.

“She’s just amazing, she’s given up her time to go out with them, and it’s really down to her because without her chorography they would not be able to do it.”

The duo flew out for Ljubljana on Friday morning to join around 3000 competitors from over 20 countries.