Today's Throwback Thursday takes a look at a story from 2008, when dancers from the area performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

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SEVEN dancers are taking part in their dream performance — at the world renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo this month.

The girls — six from Helensburgh and one from Dumbarton — are dancing alongside pipers, drummers and display teams from all over the world at the event in Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.

Initially eight dancers — all pupils from Helensburgh’s Margaret Rose School of Dance — were selected but one had to drop out because of illness.

The dancing Tattoo girls are Caitlin O’Connor, Katie Diamond, Claire Bannon, Gina Harrington, Lynsey Rippon and Sarah Lyall, all from Helensburgh, and Nicola Hunter from Dumbarton.

Margaret MacInnes, dance instructor from the Margaret Rose School, said: “I was so happy that they were all selected. The girls are having the time of their lives. Claire’s text to me said that she has ‘fulfilled a lifelong ambition’ to dance at the Tattoo.

“When she was four years old, Sarah said to her mum when she saw the tattoo on the television ‘do you think I will ever be good enough to dance at the tattoo?”

Apart from appearing in front of packed audiences, the young dancers will also be filmed by the BBC.

Their teacher, Margaret MacInnes, said: “The girls said it was it was an amazing feeling. I was bursting with pride and tears were running down my face as I knew it meant so much to them.

“I gave them all a congratulations card and said that I was so proud of them and the minute they stepped on to the esplanade all the rehearsals would be worthwhile.

“Although the dancers don’t get paid for taking part they will have lifelong memories of the unique occasion.”