A GWENT cheerleading team is preparing to rally thousands of runners through Newport's first-ever Race For Life.

The Gwent Cheerleaders are normally found on the sidelines at Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport Titans matches.

But on July 17 they will take to the streets to help motivate 3,000 runners through the three-mile race and raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

Team captain Gemma Brain, 25, said she hoped their presence would make a difference.

She said: "We will dance before the start of the race to get everyone fired up and then we will greet everyone at the finish line.

"From the first person the cross the line to the very last one - we will cheer everyone through. It's such a good cause, we hope we can help raise awareness and cash for it."

The cheerleading group was set up last September and has now grown to a 20-strong team.

Miss Brain said: "We have a real mix of people - it's not your typical American cheerleading team. We dance to a range of music, from Elvis to pop and dance tunes."

lThe team practices at Rodney Parade in Newport every Thursday and is looking for new members. Auditions will be held at Rodney Parade on Thursday, June 30 at 7pm.