ALMOST £3,000 has been raised for Kidney Research UK from an event which saw Bicester’s Mayor try belly dancing.

Melanie Magee was a guest at the Bicester Rotary Club’s East Meets West Dance Extravaganza at Bicester Community College.

But she had a surprise when a special guest was announced.

Mrs Magee said: “Mike Daniels, of the Rotary Club, announced that a special guest would join the professional belly dance team.

“So we clapped expecting another brilliant dancer to join, and then he came and grabbed my hand to go on stage, and after a round of encouraging applause, I thought: ‘Right, let’s give it a go’.

“I trotted up on stage, and really enjoyed it. Basically I just had to follow the two professional dancers, and had a brilliant time.

“I was really honoured to be asked, and tried to give it my best shot.

“I did have to do lots of wiggling in my dress, but think I did OK for a complete novice.”

The event, which was an evening of dance from around the globe including belly dancing and salsa, raised £2,750 for the charity Kidney Research UK.