A DANCE group from Halesowen has been selected from hundreds of acts across the UK to perform at the opening ceremony of the Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games.

The Windsor High School dance company will dance a choreographed routine in front of thousands of people at Manchester's Phones 4 U Arena on Thursday, September 4.

Cara McLaughlin, who is a choreographer at the dance company, said: “Performing in front of thousands of people at the Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games is very exciting for the kids but also a little nerve-racking."

The youngsters are practicing a dance routine which will include elements of street dance, jazz and hip hop.

She added: "They have been making the most of the summer holidays and have been putting in hours of practice so now are just really looking forward to performing on a stage that has played host to some of the world’s biggest stars.”

Matt Gill and Jo Thatcher from Sainsbury’s Blackheath on Halesowen Street visited the dance group to wish them luck and to see how preparations are going for the big day.

Matt Gill, from Sainsbury’s Blackheath, said: “It was great to visit the dance company at Windsor High School and Sports College Sixth Form and see the performance that they will perform in front of the crowd in Manchester next month. The whole team at Sainsbury’s is right behind them and I’m sure they will do the West Midlands proud.”

The Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games is backed by National Lottery funding through Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust. The Games are also supported by The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health and British Paralympic Association.