FOUR dazzling dancers are polishing their skills before their act is unveiled in front of thousands of football fans today.

Former Oaklands School pupils Claire Wells, Sara Mountain, Genna Rooke and Kim Mariga are to perform at Bootham Crescent, with singer Molly Dodson, before York City's clash with Rushden and Diamonds.

Club supremo John Batchelor bought the girls' services at an auction of promises at Oaklands School earlier this year.

The fundraising event was held to support the school's £50,000 bid to achieve sports college status - which would open the door to further investment in facilities for students and the public. Paul Coxon, who has been organising the dancers, said the teenagers will look stunning in outfits specially made from York City shirts.

He said: "They are going to be doing more high-profile work with the club in the future so the York public will get to see a lot of them."

The sports college bid was fast approaching its deadline at the end of this month, he added, and organisers remained £9,000 short in pledged donations. A successful bid could lead to facilities such as a dance studio, Astroturf pitch and climbing wall being built with Lottery cash at the Acomb school, he added.

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, September 14, 2002