It’s three cheers for Hot Ice star Bernie!

6:11pm Sunday 25th November 2007

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Three cheers for Bernie Nunn! The 25-year-old, of Bierley Bradford, has just got a place in the UK's top cheerleading squad.

The former Bradford Bullette will be strutting her stuff at the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida in April.

She said: "I'm really excited. I never thought I would make the team but I auditioned and I got a place. I can't wait to go.

"Cheerleading is a combination of dance, gymnastics and stunts all rolled into one so it's a great workout."

Bernie was 15 when she got her first taste of cheerleading and went on pitch to cheer on the Bradford Bulls as a member of the Bullette.

From that she went on to compete nationally picking up awards and trophies as part of the Association of Cheerleaders.

It was out of the 18,000 association members that Bernie was selected for auditions and landed one of the 40 places.

There are two squads, one for cheerleading and one for dance which she is in.

Bernie said: "I went to watch the world championships last year and it was absolutely mind-blowing.

"Cheerleading started off in Texas but has gone all over the world now, it's a huge thing and very popular in Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Australia - all over."

She added: "Our coach is really working us hard, she's told us we're not allowed back to the UK if we don't come back with at least a bronze medal!"

Bernie is the only squad member from Yorkshire, and the only other northerner is from Newcastle.

Five years ago Bernie started her own cheerleading squad called Hot Ice which now has more than 30 members who meet to practice at St Columba's RC School in Tong every week.

On Tuesdays it is for three to seven-year-olds, on Thursdays it is the turn of eight to 12-year-olds and she is now recruiting for teenagers.

The whole Hot Ice squad meets up on a Sunday.

She said: "It's really building up in Bradford. It's a fun thing to get into.

"We're getting ready for contests which start next October and are keeping our fingers crossed for some medals of our own," she said. To find out more about Hot Ice, call her on 07849 972465.