Twenty-six aspiring drummers and dancers have been shortlisted to take part in Windermere’s spectacular Olympic show.

The finalists have been announced in the search to find 12 artists who will perform in an incredible open-air show on the shores of Windermere to mark the start of the London 2012 Festival.

The final 12 will perform with acclaimed French street artists Les Commandos Percu in the world premiere of their electrifying new show On the Night Shift.

They will also take part in two performances which will be held on the edge of Windermere, following the arrival of the Olympic torch on 21 June and in Preston on September 9 as part of the finale of The Preston Guild.

Drummers Joe Fleming and Dan Fox from Ulverston have been short-listed in South Lakeland.

Raymond Gabriel, the artistic director of Les Commandos says: “This is a remarkable opportunity to be at the heart of the 2012 Olympics and take part in a once-in-a-lifetime event that will launch the cultural festival in dramatic style.

“The response has been amazing and the judges have been overwhelmed by the quality of the talent. It promises to be an amazing show that both the performers and audiences will never forget.”

Commissioned by Lakes Alive, The Lake District National Park, We Play Expo and the London 2012 Festival, On the Night Shift promises to be their most ambitious show to date.

The group of competing artists come from across the UK including Ambleside, Ulverston, Carlisle, Morecambe, Manchester, Hebdon Bridge, Leeds, Bury and Stockton.

The selected dozen will join a host of international stars including Cate Blanchett, Jude Law and Damon Albarn taking part in the London 2012 Festival.

The next round of auditions will be held at the Lanternhouse in Ulverston on January 27-29.