Thirteen girls aged between five and 16 entertained both the staff and residents with a range of different dance styles which they learn at the dance school.

Isla Macrae, Emily Wigg, Lois Shackleton and Romina Thomas performed a Hungarian peasant dance, Sophie Lally, Cathy Barker, Corrine Arnold and Raven and Starr Eames danced tap solos and the two youngest dancers, Melissa Clarke and Faith Grundy, both aged five, took to the floor for their baby ballet duet.

The girls also demonstrated their exam and class work, contemporary jazz duets and high grade ballet solos. As a finale to the theatre section, Shelley Mill belted out her festival song and dance routine.

After a costume change, the girls returned in colourful dresses for the ballroom and Latin American section. They paired up to dance the waltz, quickstep, tango, cha cha cha, samba and rumba, with Susannah Leah and Shelley Mill bringing a bit of rock and roll to the proceedings.

The dancers and residents enjoyed the experience and the girls have been invited back to perform in the future.

Dawn thanked all the residents and staff for their generosity and making the girls feel welcome. She feels that participating within the community is an important part of building confidence and enhancing dance practice, as well as gelling together to form solid team work and forging links with other groups of people in and around Todmorden.