ABOUT a billion television viewers will be watching five Farnworth dancers perform at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Five dancers from Sandhams Dance Studios were picked to entertain the ceremony's estimated 36,000 audience and the millions of TV viewers after they impressed at an audition.

For months the girls have been rehearsing and they are due to start eight-hour practice sessions in preparation for the big night next Thursday at Manchester's Commonwealth Games Stadium.

Dancer Helen Tyrer, aged 22, said: "I can't disclose what our dance routines will be although I can say we have been doing a lot of training for a couple of months."

Helen, who works as an accounts clerk and has been dancing since she was five, said they decided to audition after seeing an advert.

All their routines have been devised for them by a Games choreographer and the girls will be dancing with hundreds of others on the night.

However, the five friends may not all be dancing together, but in separate groups in different sections.

Despite the massive audience, Helen said they were not nervous, even though they had never taken part in an event on such a grand scale.

Dance Studio owner Mike Sandham said: "They are viewing it as a good opportunity and experience. They have a lot of experience of performing in things like competitions."