A CWMBRAN dance group is preparing for a stateside visit to learn more about where their hobby originated.

The ‘Brandywine Cloggers’ Appalachian dance group will live its dream to visit the USA in particular the eastern states where the dance originated this June when nine members of the group travel there.

During the visit the group members will meet up with the Hi-Horse Cloggers, a clogging group based in Stanardsville for workshops and festivals.

Appalachian Clogging is a mixture of the folk dance styles taken over by the early settlers to the Appalachian mountain region of America in the mid 1700s. It combines Scottish and Irish jigs, English clogging, African high kicks, bucks and traditional Cherokee dance.

Brandywine, which was formed in 1991, decided to make their dream a reality after one of their members Adam Naylor moved to America last July to work for a year as a vet at the Wildlife Centre of Virginia in Waynesboro.

Adam’s mum and group member Carolyn Naylor said: "We are all really looking forward to it. It has been a long-term dream of Brandywine to visit the US."

To hire Brandywine for an event or to join contact Angie Sadler on 01633 667542 or turn up at their practise every Wednesday from 7.30pm until 9.30pm at Llantarnam Community church hall, Newport Road, Cwmbran.