Padiham-based cheerleading team "Firestarters" are looking for new recruits – including bright sparks aged five upwards.

Firestarters would welcome young people of all abilities who would like to be in at the start of a relatively new team. The team coach is 17-year-old Stevie Lynagh, a highly trained dance star who has appeared on TV. Team manager is her mum, Hayley Lynagh.

Hayley explained: "We pride ourselves on giving a warm welcome to young people of all abilities. We do have a competition squad and we are ambitious to do well as a team. However, the main aim is for all our dancers to have fun, keep fit, make new friends and learn new dance moves.

"This has meant that we have already recruited both experienced cheerleaders and people who are trying it for the first time."

Stevie added: "Firestarters has not been going long, so it is great to be part of something new and exciting. We are a real team too, and all look after each other."

Sessions are at Padiham Methodist Church (opposite Padiham Paints). Children aged eight to 16 meet from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 1-30 to 2-30pm on Sunday. Firestarters has also just launched a new cheer class for children aged five to eight, who meet from 12-30 to 1-30 p.m. on Sundays.

The team has already attracted sponsorship and is busy designing a performance uniform using ideas and suggestions from team members. For more details phone Hayley on 07966 030942 or e-mail: firestarters@orange.net