A PAIR of York dancers could be going on stage with their favourite pop idol Gareth Gates after being chosen out of more than 2,000.

Danielle Foster, 11, from Rawcliffe will be auditioning today in Manchester for the chance to dance alongside the Bradford-born teen sensation.

And ten-year-old Sophie Barker, from Clifton, will take part in auditions in Scotland next month.

Both girls dance at Kingswater dance group and were part of the 140 chosen from more than 2,000 videos sent in to the competition run on children's television show Blue Peter.

Danielle's mother, Debbie Foster, said: "I am really pleased Danielle had got this far. "More than 2,000 entered and it is a fantastic achievement."

Sophie's mother, Elizabeth Barker, added: "I don't know whether Sophie will get through to the finals. I would like to think so but we will just go and enjoy the day."

If they do get through to the next round they will go on to further auditions and will then appear at a final in Newquay on August 21.

Updated: 11:49 Wednesday, July 31, 2002