THE future is looking bright for two south Essex schoolgirls after they wowed celebrity judges to make it through to the next round of Britain's Got Talent.

India Cooney, 12, from Wickford, and Alice Routledge, 14, from Basildon, have been bombarded with attention since their live audition for the ITV talent contest was aired on the weekend.

The young dancers are part of the 23-strong street dance crew IMD Legion, which received a standing ovation from gobsmacked audience members.

Intelligent Minds Dance, based in East London, was set up five years ago by teacher Omar Ansah-Awuah to get youngsters off the streets.

India and Alice, who both attend Gable Hall Performing Arts School, in Corringham, were asked to join after impressing at national dance competitions.

Gemma Cooney, India's mum, who drives to East London everyday so her daughter can rehearse, said: "The audition was filmed on Valentine's Day so it's been hard keeping it secret because we're all so excited.

"The girls have had so much positive feedback, they're really overwhelmed. They've had people stopping in the street to take photographs with them.

"It's really good to see their hard work and dedication paying off. They don't get to just go to the cinema with their friends like normal kids their age, all their socialising is done at school or with the dance crew. IMD are just like family.

"IMD helps them all to focus and it has installed such good morals and values in them. I know they're all going to have such bright futures."

Echo: Alice Routledge and India Cooney

Echo: Jenny Routledge, Alice Routledge, India Cooney and Gemma Cooney

The group is hoping to follow in the footsteps of dance troupe Diversity, whose members include Ashley Banjo, from Wickford, and Perri Kiely, from Thurrock, and win Britain's Got Talent.

IMD performed for crowds at the London Lions V Worcester Wolves basketball game on Sunday , and they are organising more events as they up their training.