A HIGHBRIDGE girl is hoping to raise £550 to fund her trip to Italy to compete in the European Championships of the Majorettes.

Abi Cooper has been selected to represent England in the European Championships of the Majorettes in Italy in October and needs to raise £550 to pay for her trip.

The 17-year-old has been dancing in the majorettes for the last eight years and is selling raffle tickets and offering people the chance to have their pictures professionally taken to raise the funds needed for the trip.

Abi said: "I have always done dancing as it is something that I have really enjoyed.

"When I moved to Highbridge around eight years ago my parents and I started looking at other dance classes that I could do and the majorettes popped up so I thought I would give it a go.

"After trying out a class I loved it and I have never looked back.

"Getting to Italy will cost me £550 and it is completely self funded so I am selling raffle tickets and am offering professional photoshoots to raise money.

"My college course includes photography and I have improved my technique so I thought doing some photoshoots would be a great way to raise the money I need."

Abi said training is going well for the competition and she is looking forward to competing in Italy later this year.

She added: "This is my fourth time representing England and I feel really privileged to have the chance to compete again.

"I am training hard at the moment so I can do my best when I represent my country.

"I have managed to sell a good amount of raffle tickets so far but hope to get more photoshoots booked to raise the money I need.

"My mum has also set up a fundraising page so people can donate and so far people have been generous with their donations.

"I am looking forward to going to Italy and competing in the European championships later this year."