CHILDREN from a Basingstoke junior school are getting ready to rock at a national dance and drama competition tomorrow.

Pupils from Park View Junior School, in Pinkerton Road, South Ham, will compete against other schools at Southampton Guildhall as part of Rock Challenge.

They are hoping to wow judges with their dance routine, which was inspired by the London riots and set to music by artists including Coldplay and The Kaiser Chiefs.

Fiona Carr, a teacher at the school who helped to organise the performance with her colleague Kate Wheatley, said: “During the riots, some teenagers made the right choices and some made the wrong choices.”

The pupils’ performance, which includes groups depicting good and bad children, is entitled ‘Make the Right Choice’.

Ms Carr said: “This is the third year we have taken part. We are hoping for a really good result this year. The costumes and the hair and make-up, which parents are doing for us, look amazing.”

She said the children, who have been rehearsing for months, loved the routine.

She added: “Dancing as part of the group really helps their confidence and it’s a lot of fun for the children too. We’re really excited about taking part.”

She said she wanted to thank Basingstoke Lions, who donated £200 towards the production, and teacher Ron Choules, who headed up the costume team.

Forty eight children from the school, aged between seven and 11, are to take part in the competition.