The dreams of two nine-year-old ballerinas are set to come true when they take to the stage in a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

Amelia Riley, of Field Close, Buckden, and Daisy Welford, of Sapley Road, Hartford, were chosen from 200 young hopefuls to star in three performances with the English Youth Ballet at the Norwich Theatre Royal from March 7-8.

The youngsters will work alongside the EYB’s international principal dancers, giving them an insight into the world of professional ballet.

Daisy, who dances at Wendy Burke School of Dance in Huntingdon, said: “I’m excited I’m going to be a Tsar’s niece and pleased I’m going to be dancing with my friend.”

Amelia, who dances at Stageworks in St Neots, said: “It feels really amazing because the audition was so hard and I didn’t think I had a chance of getting to be a cygnet.”

Daisy began ballet when she was two-and-a-half, while Amelia started when she was three.

Before the audition for Swan Lake, they had both appeared in Beauty and the Beast at the Cresset in Peterborough and a SIMADS production of Annie, where they forged a friendship.

INFORMATION: For tickets call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.