IT may be dark and cold outside but a Dorchester dance teacher has come up with something to cheer about.

Charlotte Webster is setting up the county town’s first cheerleading squad and plans to take her team to the highest national level.

She is looking for girls – and boys – who will be able to shake their pom-poms as part of Dorchester Distinction to a number of complex routines.

Hoping to recruit youngsters on the back of successful TV shows featuring cheerleaders such as US hit Glee, Charlotte has her sights set high.

She plans to take her squad to sports games, fetes and special events in the area.

The 23-year-old said: “This is something new for Dorchester. It’s a different side of dancing that people haven’t seen here before.

“It’s a combination of sport and dancing – cheerleaders aren’t called dancers, they’re called athletes.”

Dorchester-raised Charlotte, a member of the Chichester Cheetahs while at university, has been dancing since she was three and now teaches street dancing and belly dancing at the Thomas Hardye School. Charlotte, who was 18 before she picked up her first pom-pom, said: “People have a stereotypical view of cheerleaders standing on the sidelines saying ‘go team go’.

“But it’s not a pansy sport anymore – you need to be dedicated and disciplined.

“It’s also a lot of fun working as a team, especially when you have to trust each other to do the lifts,” she said.

In order to buy patriotic blue, white and red cheerleading outfits, Dorchester Distinction is looking for sponsorship.

“We want to enter competitions three or four times a year.

“Money for outfits will be a big thing for us and we also need someone of any age with lots of gymnastic experience to help with the routines,” Charlotte said.

Try-outs for Dorchester Distinction will be held on February 7 at the YMCA in Sawmills Lane, Dorchester, between 2pm and 4pm and are open to 11 to 15-year A ‘funsquad’ for eight to 12-year-olds will also be set up. No try-outs are necessary and youngsters who wish to join can turn up for the first session on February 14 between 1pm and 2pm, also at the YMCA. Sessions cost £3 an hour.

Call Charlotte on 07971 373533 for more details.