EIGHT members of Devizes Dazzlers majorettes have been selected for the England squad to compete in the European baton twirling championships.

They include Kate Spillane, who runs the troupe, and Joanna Stubbings, 17, who are fresh from winning silver medals as part of the England team that competed in the world championships.

Mrs Spillane, 37, is the oldest member of the 28 strong England squad, and she is joined by her eldest daughter Rachel Foster, 15. The other Dazzlers selected are Chrissy Clark, 16, Brook Arnold, 12, Connie Brailey, 12, Natasha Whitbread, 14, and Zoe Buckland, 12.

Mrs Spillane said: "It's fantastic that we have all been selected and I'm so proud of them."

The eight Dazzlers will train with their England colleagues every other week near Bristol in preparation for the European championships, which are held in Croatia next year.

Mother-of-four Mrs Spillane said the selection of eight Dazzlers was a reflection of the continued success of the troupe at regional championships.

She took over running the troupe three years ago and said the number of youngsters had increased from about 15 to 63.

At the last national championships in Torbay around 30 Dazzlers took part.