A BATON twirling group have celebrated their first month with an inaugural awards ceremony.

Twirl Academy Baton Twirling and Pom Pom Troupe is based in the Westham Methodist Church Hall in Weymouth.

It started life only a month ago, offering Monday night training sessions for children aged six and up.

Now, to celebrate, they have held their first awards ceremony to recognise progress in baton twirling and pop-pom routines and give special prizes for the most improved, best smile and best marching.

Jessica Collins, who set up the group, said: “At our awards night following the first month of twirl academy, all of our members received awards, rosettes and certificates in celebration of their achievement so far.

“All members have worked so hard to learn the baton moves and pom-pom routines and thoroughly deserved the recognition of this.

“Twirl Academy was set up by Jasmine Mitchell-Challinor and I after deciding they would like to give other children the opportunity to learn baton twirling and chose Westham as it was an area with few affordable activities available for children.”

Anyone interested in joining can register their interest by emailing twirl-academy@hotmail.com or come by a training session on Monday between 4.30pm and 6pm.