AS EXETER City prepare for their crunch relegation dogfight at the weekend the club's cheerleaders are fighting their way to the top of the league.

The girls, known by City fans as the Grecianettes, have scooped top honours at the British Cheerleading Association's university competition in Telford.

Exeter Emerald, as the cheerleaders are officially known, came away winning first place in four of the categories they entered.

The student-run society, which includes a squad of 25 girls, has been part of the University' of Exeter's Athletic Union for five years.

The girls won first place in the cheer, senior stunt group level three and senior dance trio as well as taking fourth place in the senior dance category in the national competition.

The squad also came away with a trophy for the team who showed the best sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Thomas Murray, 23, president of the Athletic Union at the university, said: "The cheerleaders are a huge support to the university. They're always happy to cheer and support our sport teams and have recently cheered at our latest hockey match for the first time.

"The standard of the girls' routines has improved tremendously. They are now recognised nationally as the best university cheerleading squad in the country."

Captain and choreographer for the team, Isobell Thompson, 21, who is studying psychology, became captain in September after being in the squad for a year.

She said: "Within the UK cheerleading is well known by some and there are competitions to enter — but outside the inner circle people just see us as a group of girls shaking pom poms.

"To be a cheerleader you have to be dedicated, hard working, a team player, ambitious and, in terms of physical ability, you have to have a good level of fitness including strength and stamina, much like any other sport."

She added: "The games give us good exposure and create a good spirit before a match."

Exeter Emerald regularly entertain the crowd at St James's Park and are always given a warm reception.

Ross Trant, promotional manager for the club, said: "The girls are always professional and well rehearsed. They use the football club as a platform to get their just rewards.

"We feel the squad brings glamour to the match day experience. Their two displays always go down well.

"The girls also help sell programmes before the games, which gets an excellent reaction with the fans."

The team will performing at St James's Park in front of an expected full house on Saturday.