A NATIONAL dance troupe marked what could be the beginning of a dance fever in a Furness village.

The internationally-renowned London dancers, Jiving Lindy Hoppers, ran three dance workshops in Broughton's Victory Hall, which will warm local residents up for the village's new dance classes on Monday

The event was organised by Broughton resident Melanie Tyson, who joined forces with three other local women to form the Committee for Broughton Dance after appeals from the local community for dance classes in the town.

Together they have arranged for a professional dance instructor to take hour-long contemporary/jazz/creative dance classes, which will run from 2pm-9pm every Monday in the Victory Hall.

The five separate classes, which cater for all ages, will run for two eight-week terms as a pilot to gauge demand for dance in the town.

After the end of the second term, which begins in January, the situation will be reviewed and the future of the classes decided depending on attendance.

Mrs Tyson said she was very excited about the project.

"People have been wanting this and it is now about creating enthusiasm to get the new venture off the ground.

The hall has just been refurbished and is an excellent venue and we can serve children and adults who live out of town and in the surrounding villages so they don't have to travel to Barrow for classes."

The committee has received more than £1,750 in funding from the Cumbria County Council First Aid Fund, Cumbria Community Fund, South Lakeland District Council, High Furness Neighbourhood Forum, the Agnes Dixon Trust and Broughton Parish Council, towards the initiative.

Anyone who is interested in joining the class should contact Melanie Tyson on 01229-480310 or Debbie Leighton on 01229-716039.