WITH silver in their name, its only fitting that members of a Felixstowe majorette troupe should have one eye on the winners' rostrum.The Silver Knights have just won their first awards at the national championships – just nine months after the group was formed.

WITH silver in their name, its only fitting that members of a Felixstowe majorette troupe should have one eye on the winners' rostrum.

The Silver Knights have just won their first awards at the national championships – just nine months after the group was formed.

While many majorettes and pom-pom troupes love to entertain, the Silver Knights do only a few displays at fetes and carnivals, preferring to train and dedicate their efforts to achieving competition success.

With the silverware and medals already starting to arrive, organisers are thrilled at the standards being achieved after such a short time.

Word, too, is spreading about the girls – aged eight upwards – and the troupe has a waiting list of other youngsters wanting to join.

Troupe leader Sam Knight said: "With hindsight the committee has been overly pleased with the way in which the troupe has developed and progressed in a relatively short period of time.

"The commitment and enthusiasm of the members is unequalled and this is something with which we are very pleased.

"It has been the main incentive in our progress and it is such devotion that will, I am sure, allow us to attain further growth and spur the members to reach their fullest potential."

At the recent UK Federation of Majorettes championships at Camber Sands, a number of the girls won awards.

Nicki Wilden and Becky Cannon won third place for beginner duo, while Sarah Graham and Emilie Mellor took second place in the same category.

Kim Rodger won second place for lead girl on parade, Becky Cannon and Clair Mathias won second prizes in the princess on parade competitions, while Lacey Sharpe, Georgia Murray, Becky Cannon and Clair Mathias also won medals in other categories.

The troupe currently meets at Trimley Sports and Social Club but is looking for larger premises in order to take on some of the girls on the waiting list.

Miss Knight said the group has three trainers and parents have given wonderful support, especially in helping to raise £5,000 for a full display uniform and tracksuits. The next aim is to raise around £400 for pom-poms.

n The group would love to be involved with a sponsor and any company which would be interested in helping in this way should contact Miss Knight on 01394 671100.