Ruff Diamond, a hip-hop dance group from Hartlepool made up of a dozen 14-17-year-olds, were crowned North of England Champions at the regional heat of the UK Hip-Hop Championships last Sunday.

And as winners, the crew are now preparing to compete in the final of the UK Hip-Hop Championships to be held in London on Sunday, February 21.

Their choreographer Zak Healey, 18, who teaches hip-hop dance classes three days a week, said: "We are the most northerly group ever to have won the regional heat and we just hope that the success will continue into the UK finals."

If successful at the competition, Ruff Diamond will then have the opportunity to go to Las Vegas to compete in the World Hip-Hop Championships in August.

Dedicated Zak, 18, who is currently studying history at Newcastle University, comes back to Hartlepool to teach over 60 boys each week in hip-hop and breakdancing.

The self-taught breakdancer, who is a former head boy of Manor College of Technology, added: "I am really proud and ecstatic for the boys who have only been dancing together for a year and a half.

"It would be amazing to get to Las Vegas, but we are just over the moon about getting through to the nationals and being able to represent the north of England in the competition."

Zak's mum Val Armstrong, who runs Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts in Whitby Street South, Hartlepool, said: "It is unbelievable. We are absolutely elated that the boys got through to the UK Hip-Hop Championships.

"This is an amazing achievement for the group as a whole and for the area, and we hope that the people of Hartlepool will support the boys in the next stage in their quest to be UK Hip-Hop Champions."

If anyone is interested in going to watch the boys in the final, a coach will be heading down to London to the event.

For more information, contact Mark Watson at the studio on (01429) 284706.