A GROUP of budding dancers were to perform in the city centre today ahead of the screening of a live production by The Royal Ballet.

About 30 youngsters aged from just three years old were to dance in the city centre Piazza before the Big Screen showing of Ondine.

The group, which is made up of City College Plymouth BTEC dance students and members of the Hartley House Dance Club, were to perform a variety of classical ballet works, taught by Maryam Pourian.

"The children are absolutely delighted to think that they will be performing in front of the Big Screen; they can't wait," she said.

Miss Pourian said the groups had worked really hard to prepare for the performance, which had taken over a month to perfect.

"It is really nice for them to be able to perform for the public and their families and it is a great way for them to keep fit from an early age and be creative," she said.

The Royal Ballet performance marks the 50th anniversary revival of Ondine and will be beamed live from the Royal Opera House in London. Ondine is the first of three productions being played on the Big Screen as part of the Plymouth Summer Festival.

The event begins at 6.30pm before The Royal Ballet's Ondine at 7.30pm.