HUNDREDS of young performers will be showing off their dancefloor skills at Stourport Civic Hall when Wyre Forest Dance Festival kicks off on Saturday.

It runs until Friday, February 16 and competitors from Wyre Forest and across the Midlands will dance in a variety of styles, including ballet, tap, cabaret, contemporary and classical.

Councillor Nathan Desmond, Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet member for community and leisure services, said: "The festival gives young dancers an opportunity to get experience of performing in front of audiences.

"The event also helps to develop skills, as a British Dance adjudicator will be present to give marks and a report to each dancer.

"We hope that people will come along and support the dancers as it's great to have the support of the local audience," Mr Desmond added.

The festival's finale is the championships, where dancers are invited back by the adjudicator to perform a dance seen earlier in the week and trophies will be presented to the winners and runners up in junior, intermediate and senior categories.

It is part of the All England Festival and competitors who gain more than 84 marks for a dance have the opportunity to go on to the Midlands Regional Final held at The Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa from Sunday, May 27 until Saturday, June 2.

The event will also include a Miss Dance of Great Britain heat, which is a national competition in theatre dance. The grand final will take place later in the year.

On February 10, the action will run from noon until 6pm and for the rest of the event the dancing will begin at 9am and finish at 8pm.

For more information contact 01562 732928.