FIVE youngsters from Taunton’s sole majorettes team have been picked to represent England in the European Championships in Croatia this October.

Members of the family-run majorettes squad, New Direction, were selected after impressing at the nationals competition at Wellsprings Leisure Centre in June.

The team, currently 27 members strong, was set up 24 years ago by sisters Tara Evangeli and Kim Ridge.

Tara told the County Gazette: “Twenty-three countries usually compete, so the girls are definitely excited about it.

“They work so hard all year and it pays off. Their parents are just so proud.”

New Direction’s fab five – Kimberley Pollard, 22, Alice Northcote-Brewer, 17, Hayley Stanford, 13, Chloe Gifford, 12 and Alicia Gifford, 10 – are now busily fundraising for the £3,000 it will cost to send the girls to Croatia.

Kimberley is even doing a sponsored sky dive to help raise funds.

Anyone wanting to sponsor New Direction can pick up a form or make a donation at Timpson shoe repairs in Taunton’s North Street.