CHEERLEADERS from Huddersfield are hoping to shimmy and shout their way into a national competition.

Members of Huddersfield New College's 16-strong cheerleading squad have set their sights on national glory in the British Cheerleading Championships in Birmingham in August.

To qualify for the championships, the team - which has 13 girls and three boys - must make it through a series of heats.

But before the team can take part, its members need to devise a routine which fits championship rules.

The team also needs an official kit.

Team leader Amy Kitchingman said the team was appealing for sponsorship from local businesses to help pay for the uniforms.

Amy founded the team last September with her fellow sixth-form students, all aged between 16 and 19.

She said: "I have been cheerleading since I was 11 with a group called Footloose in Batley.

"I thought other people might like it too.

"We do American-style cheerleading to powerful music, with stunts, flips and tumbling. It's pretty gymnastic.

"It is great to support the college sports teams - we cheer for all of them. It really gets the crowds going."

The team meets twice a week for a 45-minute practice and all the members train in the gym to boost their fitness.

Andrew McGowan, who co-ordinates extra-curricular activities for the college, said: "It's nice to see boys involved on the team.

"So many sports tend to be single sex. The whole thing was student-led."

Anyone who would like to help with sponsorship should contact Mr McGowan on 01484 652341.