Ballet starlets have been selected to star in a professional production.

Three talented pupils from Huddersfield area have landed roles in English Youth Ballet’s Giselle, which is due to take place from June 5 to 6 at St George’s Hall, Bradford.

Oliver Atherton, 9, Lauren Hemingway, 8, and Olivia Falcon, 14 are those who have been handpicked for the company which has selected the best young dancers from the region to work alongside a cast of professional adult dancers.

The ballet follows the story of a woman who dies of a broken heart but is revived and fights to save her lover.

The trio are now in the midst of practising their parts through a busy rehearsal schedule with 94 other dancers, which will see them take part in around 10 six hour practices before the curtains go up.

Oliver, who attends the Bernadette Heys School of Theatre Dance in Marsden and goes to Linthwaite Clough J, I & EY School, beat over 50 children to gain a role.

He will be playing an aristocratic child.

It is the second time he has been asked to take part in a Youth Ballet production.

His mum, Liz, said: “He’s very excited and can’t wait for the performances.

“It’s another great role following the one he had last year when he starred in Coppelia at Stockport Plaza.

“He got into dancing after watching Strictly Come Dancing and joined the dance school when he was four.

“Since then he’s taken part in lots of dance events at school and is studying for his grade two in ballet

“He loves every moment of it and I’m very proud of him.”

Lauren, who also goes to Bernadette Heys School and goes to Marsden Junior School, will dance in Giselle as a villager.

Her mum, Shelley, said: “It’s the first time she’s been invited to perform by the company and she’s just over the moon.

“She started dancing when she was two and that’s all she’s been doing since then. She’s already got a grade one in theatre craft and grade two in ballet and hopes to get involved in more shows.

“I think she wants to be a professional dancer in the future.”

Olivia, of Kirkheaton, who trains at Clare Doosey School of Dance and attends King James School, will take on the role of lady of the hunt.

Her mum, Lucinda, said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for her and she’s really enjoying the rehearsals.”