Three schoolgirls from Renfrew are preparing to head to Canada after being selected to represent Scotland in a prestigious dance contest.

The talented trio will compete at the World Championships of Irish Dance, in Montreal, at the start of April.

St James’ Primary pupil Alyssa Prele, 11, will be flying the flag for Renfrewshire on the global stage, along with Trinity High students Mischa Lamond and Amy Hart, both 15.

They will be joined by team-mates Hannah Shaw and Orlaith Lyons, who also attend the McQuade School of Irish Dance, based in Glasgow.

Mischa’s mum Siobhan said the group are looking forward to taking part in such a big event.

She told The Gazette: “The girls are really excited to be representing their country and going to Montreal is quite a big adventure for them.

“We’re all very proud, as it is quite a prestigious event.”

Dance teacher Andrea McQuade added: “Our girls have danced all through Covid, turned up to every online Zoom lesson, taken part in online Fèis and danced on pavements for the local community during Covid times and thoroughly deserve to be on the world stage.”

In the run-up to the trip, the group have been performing for shoppers to raise much-needed funds for travel and accommodation costs, as well as organising events such as race nights.

A JustGiving page for the expensive trip has so far raised more than £400, with the girls hoping to reach their target of £1,000 by the end of this month.

The dance school is also reaching out to local businesses to provide sponsorship or donations.

Anyone who can provide sponsorship should send an email to siobhanlamond@gmail.com, while anyone who would like to make a donation can visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mcquade-irishdance-1.