A group of young cheerleaders heading for TV fame have had their hopes dashed by bungling producers and council red tape.

Sutton cheerleading troupe Destiny Allstars were busy preparing to face the wrath of Simon Cowell on ITV talent show Britains' got Talent when they were told last minute authorisation from Sutton local education authority to appear on the show had not be granted.

Head coach Kim Hooper said the situation was deeply upsetting, especially as 12 of the 16 cheerleaders who herald from neighbouring boroughs managed to get permission in time.

"The girls, some as young as 11, have been putting in extra hours," she added. "Training hard, and they were all looking forward to it only to be told at the last minute because of some paper work they can't go on.

"I was literally begging the woman on the phone to do something to help them, but she said there was nothing she could do because it would take at least seven days for authorisation to be given.

"I was absolutely dreading telling the group.

"What hurts me the most is that we are always doing things for the community and they couldn't do this one thing for us.

"It's upset me so much I don't feel I can watch the show this year, "

A spokeswomen for the ITV show said due to the quick turn around in filming some LEA's were unable to process child licenses in time.

She added: "This has only happened on a few occasions but we do understand how upsetting this must have been for some of the acts, including Destiny All Stars, so we are promising those acts effected a guaranteed audition in front of the Judges for next years show."

A council spokesman offered their condolences to the cheerleaders but noted that the show's producers had accepted fault.