A SIXTH-former has beaten hundreds of teen-agers across the country to represent England in the Dance World Cup.

Brighton College’s James Duprey, 17, will be flying the English flag in the Boys Modern Dance Solo section at the championships, which will be held this July in Bucharest.

About 18,000 dancers from around the world auditioned to represent their countries in the competition and the Brighton teenager wowed the judges of the English heats with his DVD of dance moves.

He will join the other members of the 300-strong England team, plucked from dance clubs around the country, in Romania this summer.

James said: “I am totally thrilled to have made the team and just can’t wait to get out there to Romania.

“It’s going to be a tough competition but I am determined not to let the team and my country down so I will practise like mad from now.”

If James wins a gold medal, he will go on to perform in the event’s glittering gala dance.

Team England manager Jo Arnett-Morrice said: “We are delighted to have James Duprey as part of Team England 2015.

“We have won the Dance World Cup for the last two years, Brighton 2013 and Portugal 2014, so we are hoping for a hat-trick. “Our dancers come from all over England from some of the best dance schools. “It is a wonderful opportunity to represent England and we hope to come back with the trophy once again.”

James beat 500 English hopefuls to qualify for the national team, which will pit its skills against 38 other countries.

English heats judge Jacqueline Storey said: “The standard has been very high and we have had a huge demand for places in the teams. “They have six months to really improve and strengthen their work to give the performance of their life.”