WORLD champion dancers from the region are stepping up the to the challenge of fundraising for their title defence.

After scooping top spot at the 2008 World Irish Dancing Championships, the under 16 mixed figure team, which includes Hagley Catholic High School student Fae Doherty, is now preparing to defend their crown in the USA next year.

Fae, aged 14, and fellow dancers Lewis Childs, aged 15, and Ebonie Cotton, aged 13, from Dudley's Bishop Milner School and Fallon McMenamin, aged 15, from Halesowen, say the only way they will be able to get to Philadelphia for the 2009 competition is by raising cash to fund the trip though sponsored events and dancing displays.

The team of 16 dancers from around the midlands won the trophy, which was donated by Riverdance star Michael Flatley, after out-performing dancers from around the globe at the championships in Belfast during the Easter holidays.

The youngsters are already fundraising by taking part in bag-packing events at supermarkets, car boot sales and car washes.

The dancers are all students at the Birmingham based Carey Academy and train up to six times a week with tutor John Carey, an eight-times world champion who worked as an understudy to Flatley in many of his shows including Lord of The Dance and Riverdance.

The team is available for displays, for more information contact the dance school by e-mail via Careyacademy@hotmail.com