YOUNG students at a dance school are asking millions of television viewers for their support in a bid to win the ultimate make-over for their run-down headquarters.

They will be going head to head with other groups and families competing for cash appear on the BBC's DIY SOS show .

Pupils at the Riquette Dancing Academy have spent the past 11 years tapping their toes in a shabby warehouse off Cuxton Road, Strood.

But six youngsters, who wanted to say a special thank you to their dedicated teacher, Hazel Hague, took it upon themselves to write to the television programme and ask for a studio makeover.

Hazel, who has taught dancing for 25 years, was stunned when the programme makers contacted her to say her school had been selected to go head to head with families pleading for a bathroom and kitchen makeover.

She said: "At first I thought it was a wind-up because it was the sort of thing the girls would do. But they turned up at the beginning of May and spent a whole day filming the girls in the dance studio. I just couldnÕt believe what was happening."

The Riquette Dancing Academy has been at the Strood warehouse for more than a decade and is desperately in need of a lick of paint, new bars and mirrors, lighting and rewiring.

Lucy Tyler watched the DIY programme every week and as the dance studio became more and more run down she decided action had to be taken.

The 11-year-old who enjoys ballet, tap, stage and disco dancing explained: "I liked watching the show and thought our studio was quite grubby. So I came in and told a couple of my friends what we should do for Hazel. When I told everyone they said it was a really good idea and we wrote a letter saying what the studio was like, but we never expected to hear back from them."

Now the group is dependent on your vote as their appeal is broadcast this week. Sarah Hague, a teacher at the academy, said: "If we could say anything to the public it would be a big plea asking for them to vote for us to win the makeover."

All you have to do is tune in to DIY SOS this Thursday on BBC1 at 8pm and pick up the phone and vote.