Weymouth teenagers are busy rehearsing as they get ready to dance on the biggest stage in the West End this weekend.

Young dancers from Weymouth Dance Studio (WDS) have been chosen by Dame Arlene Phillips to be part of a spectacular evening of dance at the London Coliseum on Sunday, April 2.

The 13 students - aged 16 to 19 - will perform their moving ‘Remember’ routine in the All-England Dance (AED) Centenary Gala.

Their teacher and choreographer, Keely Shaw, submitted a video audition last November, and the group’s routine was among a handful selected to appear in the high-profile event.

June Hornby, principal of Weymouth Dance Studio, said: “Congratulations to our dancers and Keely - it is a tremendous honour for them and Weymouth Dance Studio to have been chosen to be part of the AED Gala. The students have been working extremely hard with Keely and former WDS student Megan Sers to polish the routine ready for the show next weekend, and I know their efforts and commitment will pay off on stage.

“I must also thank the students’ parents, families and friends for their unfailing support. There will be a large contingent from Weymouth in the audience at the London Coliseum, and we will be bursting with pride as we watch them perform on the biggest stage in the West End.”

The students taking to the stage are Evie Adams, Maddie Johnstone, Mikey Bailey, Amelia Goodwin, Millie Burton, Rebekah Walsh, Alice Groves, Amelia Ryan, Evie Bird, Eloise Bacon, Millie Smith, Abigail Dunford and Kirstin Lindsay.

The showcase gala will celebrate every genre of dance - from ballet to musical theatre, tap and contemporary - performed by dance schools from across the country. The WDS piece begins with the poem ‘The Soldier’ written during World War I and commemorates the sacrifice made by the men and women of our armed forces, both past and present.

Keely Shaw says she first got the idea for 'Remember' in 2014 for the 100 years commemoration of the start of the First World War. Keely combined the poem 'The Soldier' by Rupert Brooke with the Beyonce track 'I was Here', to create a group dance.

It was always a favourite of hers and so Keely used the idea again with a different group of dancers for the AED 100 years celebration.

Follow the dancers’ London Coliseum adventure on the WDS's Facebook and Instagram feeds over the weekend.

Weymouth Dance Studio in Derby Street offers dance classes in ballet, tap, modern and contemporary for young people aged 2 and above. New students are welcome to join next term - classes start on Saturday 15 April.

See the timetable at weymouthdancestudio.co.uk