TALENTED young dancers from Worcestershire picked up a massive medal haul at the Dance World Cup in Romania and helped team England to be crowned overall champions.

Members of Harlequin Stage School, which is based at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Centre, won 15 golds, nine silvers and nine bronzes, as they competed against performers from 44 other countries.

Eighty-three dancers from the Worcester group took part in the prestigious week-long contest, with 78 returning home on Sunday (July 5) with medals.

Paul Dymock, Harlequin school principal, said: “It was an unbelievable week and I am on top of the world with the results.

“I am blown away - all of the dancers have worked so hard to achieve these accolades and there is nothing higher they could win.

“It was totally amazing to see dancers from all over the world and I think it is something that will stay with our dancers forever.

“When they were singing the national anthem with pride it was the journey of a lifetime.”

Harlequin Stage School helped team England win the world cup and claim the prestigious overall trophy.

Members of the Perdiswell dance group also picked up some of the top awards.

Felicity Gibbons, nine, of Martley, was named the most outstanding performer of the world cup in the mini performer category while 14-person group The Orchestra won the prize for the most outstanding classical group.

Harlequin Stage School, which has members aged six to 18, raised £52,000 in just six months to fund their trip to the Dance World Cup in Bucharest, after being selected to represent their country by a panel of expert judges.