trainee circus performers showed yesterday why they were picked to take centre stage in the Millennium Dome.

The 43-strong squad danced, trapezed, and posed on the first day of their gruelling training regime which will prepare them for a circus and dance extravaganza to be shown in the Dome in the new millennium.

The group, ranging in age from 17 to 28, were selected from 3000 hopefuls during three day-long intensive auditions around the country over the summer.