A TEAM with a lot of spirit beat fierce competition to take home a prestigious cheerleading trophy.

The squad from Dorchester-based Distinction Dance Company travelled to Eastbourne, East Sussex to perform in the Southern Classics competition.

The competition, which is run by the British Cheerleading Association (BCA), saw the Dorset team up against several others including Destiny Allstars from Surrey, who won the BCA International competition this year.

Coach Charlotte Webster said all the girls had worked very hard and they were delighted to win their category, the Junior All Girl Cheer Level One.

She said: “The girls nailed the routine without a single mistake. All the mums and myself were incredibly proud of them.”

The team had only one two-and-a-half minute routine to impress the judges and the routine had to involve different elements like dancing, jumps, gymnastics and stunts like lifts.

They were also marked on their spirit and received a mark of eight out of ten and the judges commented that the girls had great smiles.

It was a long day for the team who left Dorchester at 9am and didn’t get home until 1am the next day.

Miss Webster said: “It was a very good day. I’m very proud of them. The girls were very happy and the parents were delighted.”

The team recently had try-outs and now has a junior and senior squad.

Miss Webster said she wanted the teams to compete in the BCA international competition next year in Telford near Birmingham.

They are currently trying to fundraise to help them compete.

They will be performing a Christmas Show on Saturday, November 26 at the YMCA in Sawmills Lane, Dorchester at 3.30pm and 7pm.

Then on Friday, December 23 they will be bag-packing to raise funds at Waitrose in Dorchester.

There are also spaces available on the team but interested youngsters need to join up by Christmas as after that the team will be learning their new routines.

For more information contact Charlotte Webster on 07971 373533 or email crw3333@hotmail.com