A gang of Bradford youngsters is taking the big band sound of the 1940s to swinging holidaymakers.

The 11 children, aged nine to 12, are joining the famous Memphis Belle orchestra at the famous Tower Ballroom in Blackpool next month.

The young dancers have been in training for their nights in the spotlight since last summer and have tried out their routines at Bradford's Cartwright Hall.

Swinging Sue and Her Rockin' Little Angels are to don gangster-style outfits and set the joint jumping, alongside adult dancers dressed as American GIs.

Sue, who runs adult and children's dance classes in the Bradford district, has put together a show featuring dances moves from the 1940s and 1950s, like swing, jive, jitterbug and lindy-hop.

Sue, of Bolton Road, said: "I have danced with the Memphis Belle Orchestra before and they thought it would be a nice but unusual idea to have the children come and dance instead.

"It has been hard work getting children of this age group to appreciate this kind of music and dance.

"When they first heard it, they said 'what is this?' But they have worked very hard and I am very proud of all the children involved."

The children will be dancing to some of the decade's most famous tunes including Glenn Miller's In the Mood, Opus 1, Little Brown Jug and American Patrol.

The orchestra will be playing at the Tower throughout the summer season but a spokesman has said that they are particularly looking forward to seeing the youngsters interpret their sounds.

Sue, who teaches classes at Saltaire Methodist Church and Shipley Conservative Club, said: "The children are really excited about performing at Blackpool Tower ballroom.

"We have sent pictures of them dressed in their costumes for publicity over there."

Relatives and friends from Bradford will be among the audiences and the Memphis Belle orchestra cannot wait to see the children, she added.

The group's shows will be on August 15 and 16.

Pictured are 12-year-olds Nichola Trudgill and Alex Lancaster as they go through their moves.