Twenty-two pupils of the Allerton-based Spotlight Stage school have been chosen to appear in a one-off charity show in London's West End at the end of June.

the school's delighted principal, Gillian Robinson, said: "It's a real breakthrough. Some of the kids are really talented and this is just such a boost for them; all their hard work has paid off."

The show, Performers 2000, takes place at Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, at the centre of London's theatreland. The purpose is to raise money for London's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

"The producer said we were the only school in Yorkshire to be selected. There are another 11 in the show, but they're from London and the Home Counties. I sent in a show video and we were short-listed from that.

"There was an audition in Manchester, but I couldn't go because I teach on Saturdays. The producer said it didn't matter because she'd seen enough on the video," Gillian added.

We shouldn't be surprised at the school's success. Two thousand or more children attend stage schools in and around the Bradford district. The ones that I have come across have dedicated instructors and very high standards.

Gillian Robinson formed Spotlight Stage School six years ago, after a three-year career as a professional dancer. There are 100 pupils aged from three to 18. The children learn singing, dancing, theatrical and performance skills.

Each year the school puts on its own charity show. Last year's raised £400 for the T&A-sponsored Scanner Appeal. Sovereign Health Care, which put £250,000 into the £1m appeal, doubled the sum to £800.

This year's show, in aid of the Marie Curie Cancer Appeal, takes place at Bingley Arts Centre from Wednesday to Saturday next week, starting at 7.30pm.

"This is a compilation show involving all our pupils," said Gillian, who designed the costumes.

"Numbers include music from Grease, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz and Annie Get Your Gun. Also there'll be commercial jazz routines to the beat of popular music and ballet."

Ticket prices vary from £6 to £3 concessions, depending on the night. They are available on the door or by ringing Bradford 643119.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.