A GROUP of talented home-grown dancers are busy wowing audiences as they grace the stage in a national musical production.

Nine girls from Malvern's Cecilia Hall Dance Centre in Church Street, are involved in the production of Annie.

The girls are Sabrina Egerton, Kathryn Allbright, Lydia Collins, Geneveve Byers, Elizabeth Lewis, Grace Caldicott, Jodie Coates, Imogen Quilley and Hannah Chester.

They have been hand-picked to play orphans in the show - which opened on Monday night at Malvern Theatres in Grange Road - alongside top names from the world of showbusiness, such as Su Pollard, of BBC1's Hi-de-Hi! fame.

The dance centre was approached to take part as it has staged performances at Malvern Theatres before - and the dancers have spent the last month or so rehearsing.

"They're really excited about it and it's a really good experience for them," said centre owner Patricia Lewis.

"It gives them an insight into whether they want to do it as a career and gives them the opportunity to work with a professional company."

The show focuses on 11-year-old orphan Annie who dreams of finding her real parents.

Fate takes an unexpected turn when a billionaire decides to host an orphan for the Christmas season and chooses Annie as the lucky candidate.

It features all the classic songs such as It's a Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow.

The show - which is touring the country - runs at Malvern Theatres until Saturday, November 13. Tickets are £16-£24 (under 18s are £10).

To book, call the box office on 01684 892277 or online at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk