A group of Wandsworth kids have described the feeling of being chosen to perform in the West End later this year.

Based on the children’s novel by Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes will run at London’s Peacock Theatre in July and comprises 56 young dancers, five of whom are from Wandsworth.

“I have been the only boy in my ballet classes for as long as I can remember so it is such a great chance to work with other boys, both older and younger than myself," 13-year-old Frank Davison said.

"I’m really looking forward to performing at the Peacock Theatre in July, following in my brother’s footsteps, with the Ballet Shoes team.

"My granny Vivi is super excited as she was a ballet dancer at the Royal Ballet and Rambert and she loves coming to see us dance.”

Ballet Shoes tells the story of the Fossil sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy.

The three sisters are adopted in the 1930s by an eccentric explorer, great uncle Matthew who delivers them into the care of his niece and a no-nonsense housekeeper, then promptly disappears.

Olivia Coffey, 11, called her selection a dream come true.

“Ballet Shoes was one of the first books I can remember my mum reading to me," she said.

"It’s partly why I started dancing.

"I have watched London Children's Ballet productions for six years, and to now be dancing in the LCB 25th Anniversary production is a dream come true.”

Every year over 700 children audition to join London Children’s Ballet. The 60 children who go on to be cast in the company’s productions are given 100 hours of free ballet training culminating in the chance to perform in a professionally created ballet on a west end stage.

Isla McDonald, 15, said this has been one of the best things to ever happen to her, while 11-year-old Ella Lewis said it helped with her insecurities.

"I have met friends for life there and the coaching is extraordinary," Isla said.

"The ballet industry is typically very harsh about body type and the thing I love the most about LCB is that no one cares what you look like or where you come from, it’s just an incredible family working hard together because we love it."

"Before London Children's Ballet I thought that anyone who said I could perform on stage was crazy," Ella added.

"But now through my LCB experience I have gained so much more confidence and belief in myself.

"Now, the word can’t isn’t in my vocabulary. I know if I put my mind to it and work hard, anything is possible.”