YOUNG dancers took to the pitch at the Reebok Stadium to strut their stuff in front of almost 25,000 football fans.

High school children put on a dazzling dance show during half-time at the game between Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool.

Hundreds of secondary school pupils and college students auditioned to take part, and 80, aged between 11 and 17, were picked.

The show was the finale of the Move It project — a dance and media project organised by Bolton Council and youth involvement group Pro-Excel.

It also formed a part of the Find Your Talent programme which is being piloted in the borough to encourage young people to take part in cultural activities.

Auditions took place in October. And under the guidance of Pro-Excel’s choreographic team, the students mastered an eight-minute routine fusing different dance styles and themes.

Pro-Excel events director Liam O’Reilly said: “We are over the moon. For them to have the opportunity to perform in front of local people and at the Reebok Stadium is a dream come true for many students.

“The town has such a rich hot bed of talent.”

Eve Timperley, aged 17, from Walkden, who studies at Bolton Dance and Performing Arts College, said: “It was so much fun and it was amazing performing in front of so many people.

“We got a great reception and it gave us a massive buzz.

“We trained very hard over half-term and everything came together on the day.”