TWO young Suffolk dancers are looking forward to Bombay nights after winning their first professional contract.Although Rebecca Gardner and Kerry Stammers, both 20, live only 14 miles apart, they didn't know each other until they met at college.

By Richard Cornwell

TWO young Suffolk dancers are looking forward to Bombay nights after winning their first professional contract.

Although Rebecca Gardner and Kerry Stammers, both 20, live only 14 miles apart, they didn't know each other until they met at college.

Rebecca, from Felixstowe, and Kerry, from Bredfield, near Woodbridge, both went for the same job – and were delighted to find they had both been chosen.

Now they will be off to India for Christmas, performing in a cabaret show in Bombay for a month.

They will be flying out on December 16 to take part in four 15-minute routines nightly in a five-star hotel from December 18.

Rebecca and Kerry are studying at Corringham Performing Arts College, near Basildon, Essex, and are in their third year of their course, due to graduate in June. They have both already qualified as dance teachers.

Former Deben High student Rebecca, who lives in Garrison Lane, Felixstowe, with her mum Helen and dad Paul, and younger sister Chloe, 17, started dancing as a youngster and has been with Stage Door, the Hamilton School of Dancing, Dreamworks and been involved with the Felixstowe Christmas panto. She has set her heart on a career in showbiz.

"Both girls are thrilled with winning their first professional contracts and they can't wait to do the shows," said Mrs Gardner.

"I think at the moment it is still sinking in – they are fifty per cent excited and fifty per cent nervous."

Kerry, who lives with her parents Ann and Stephen, and brothers James, 29, and Jonathan, seven, attended Farlingaye High and local dance schools. She is also hoping for a career in the entertainment world and wants to travel widely.