AN award-winning wheelchair dancer will perform his moves in front of millions at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

James Ireland, 20, of Bloomfield Avenue, Leigh, was asked to audition by the organisers of the event after winning several international dance prizes.

He breezed through his London audition and is gearing up to begin rehearsing for the event, which will be held at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in August.

James, who is paralysed from the waist down after being born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, said: “It’s an absolute honour and I’m just so excited.

“I’m very nervous as there are going to be so many people watching, but I’m so proud to be representing my country and Essex.”

The former Kingsdown School pupil is no stranger to performing, after becoming an established member of the successful Thameside Wheelchair Dancing Club.

In 2008, he starred on Blue Peter, when he took part in the international Malta Open Dance Competition with presenter Helen Skelton.

He has also won several international world championship wheelchair dancing medals in locations including Holland and Malta.

Paralympic organisers are keeping tight-lipped about what they have planned for the ceremony on August 29, but have revealed a large group of talented wheelchair dancers from around the world are set to take to the stage. It is expected to be the largest performance of its kind ever seen.

James added: “It’s going to be large-scale disabled choreography.

“We are all used to seeing big groups of able-bodied dancers perform all the time, so why not wheelchair dancers?

“Nobody has really thought to do it before, so this will be a first.”

The team of wheelchair dancers have not yet met to learn their routine, but will begin rehearsing solidly in the weeks leading up to the event.

James added: “Obviously I hope something comes out of this experience and it leads to even bigger things, but it’s just a privilege to have been chosen to do it. Anything else would just be a bonus.”

The ceremony will be televised live across the world and watched by thousands in the stadium.