BOYS and girls of all ages have come together in the 2016 Cheerleading and Dance Championships.

The Bournemouth International Centre is hostings hundreds of children and young adults this weekend for the Future Cheer event, which aims to find the best of British cheerleading.

It is Europe's largest cheerleading event.

All teams are in with a chance to win partially-paid bids to the USASF World Championships in Florida.

They will also be automatically entered into the big prize give-away.

For the 100-strong Bournemouth Elite team it's not so much about the prizes but having fun.

One of their directors and head coaches, Zoe Dehnert, said: "This weekend is the biggest cheerleading event across Europe. We have been working all season to perfect our routine. It's about the competition but it's also about making sure the kids have fun as well."

She said the team - made up of children aged four to adults of 29-years-old, have had a fantastic time so far.

"There have been some great run-throughs," she added. "Yesterday, some of our stunt teams came third. Then we had a couple of teams on this morning and then senior teams on tomorrow."

When asked if they were aiming for the grand prize for Florida, she said: "Maybe in a couple of years but at the moment it's about the team continuing to grow and to eventually get our own space."

The group are currently fundraising for their own unit and training mats. They've been steadily working towards their target - which needs to reach at least £18,000 not including the expenses required to fit out a unit and equipment - for the last three years.

Email bournemouthelite@live.co.uk for more information.