TWO young talented dancers have been by picked by the English Youth Ballet and are set to perform in a rendition of Swan Lake.

Chloe O’Neill, 10, from Hatch Warren Junior School, and Elizabeth Van Meerkerk, 13, who attends Aldworth School were selected after taking part in auditions in February.

Nearly 300 young hopeful dancers turned up to two auditions for a place in the production of Swan Lake which will be held at The New Wimbledon Theatre.

Director and founder of the English Youth Ballet Janet Lewis MBE was on the lookout for the best young dance talent to join her award-winning company for the production.

Miss Lewis said “English Youth Ballet is all about providing extra performance experience to young dancers.

“We saw a very pleasing standard at the audition today and it was lovely to see lots of enthusiasm. Dancers who are selected will take part in our very special 20th anniversary celebration performances of Swan Lake.”

Both Chloe and Elizabeth will be hoping this opportunity will help springboard their training progress and careers into some of the world’s greatest ballet companies.

English Youth Ballet’s acclaimed production of Swan Lake is set in 1895 Imperial Russia and tells of love, rivalry, greed and murder.

The action takes place in the Mariinsky Theatre - where the Mariinsky Ballet are preparing for a production of Swan Lake - and the sumptuous Royal Palace of the Tsar.

Two unlikely lovers meet Odette, a dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet and Prince Sergei, son to the Tsar. The Tsar must ensure that Prince Sergei does not marry beneath his station.

Equally, the tyrannical Baron Von Rothbart would do anything to secure a royal patronage for his ballet company. He would even manipulate his own daughter – Odile – to compete for the affections of the Prince.

Elizabeth and Chloe will join 100 talented young dancers from London and the south east in the production, which takes place on August 24 and August 25.

For more information go to atgtickets.com/Wimbledon.