A CHEERLEADER from Altrincham has been selected to dance for Team England Paracheer Hip Hop, at the World Cheerleading and Dance Championships, in Florida in 2018.

Paracheer is a new division at the championships, where at least 25 per cent of the team are disabled athletes.

27-year-old Suzanne O'Hara has been dancing her whole life. She was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was 14-years-old, a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side. She said: "It causes me back pain and swelling. I also have hypermobile joints, prone to dislocation and tachycardia - a heart condition which causes episodes of racing pulse which make me feel dizzy."

Suzanne never let her condition bother her and started cheerleading when she was 17-years-old, after she was inspired watching the Cheerleading Championships in Manchester in 2007.

She started cheerleading in Altrincham and now after taking part in the nation-wide tryouts in Coventry over the summer holidays, she was selected as a paracheerleader for the World Cheerleading and Dance Championships.

Suzanne has also started her own cheerleading team, Intensity in Rotherham in 2013. This year she has started a second class in Altrincham, which she is urging local children to join.

She said: "I would love to see some local kids come down to the classes so that they can get the same opportunities as I have had. It's really good fun."

Children can join from four-years-old and is held at Altrincham College of Arts. Visit their website www.intensitycheeranddance.com for more information.