DANCERS on the hunt for a permanent base to practice in pulled all the right moves at their first fundraiser.

Messy Jam Dance School held its first summer fete at The Barn, in Nightingale Avenue, Greater Leys, on Saturday.

The school, which caters for about 100 youngsters, needs to raise cash for a permanent home after years of hiring out halls.

Sharon Peart, mother of dance school founder Ellisha Peart, said: “We have never done anything like this before.

“We really don’t have anywhere long-term – having a permanent base will give us so much more flexibility.

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“There’s so much talent out there.

“It’s not just about dancing, it’s a big family. It’s quite a diverse school.”

Families poured into the Greater Leys community centre to show their support for the dance school, which was founded in Barton in 2006 with just six dancers.

The school moved to Oxford Stadium in 2008 and then switched to the Jubilee 77 community centre when the greyhound racing stadium closed two years ago.

Last September, the dance group was left without a permanent home when academic support group IntoUniversity moved into the hall.

The dance school now divides its lessons between The Barn and evening classes at the Jubilee 77 community centre.

Ms Peart, of Headington, said she was concerned about having youngsters move between the two locations during the winter weather.

She said the Messy Jam Dance School team is set to meet Oxford City Council staff today to discuss plans for a new home.

The 52-year-old added: “It’s been hard to go backwards and forwards.

“We are hoping the council will get behind us because this is a massive thing for us.

“We are a small community group but we reach people you otherwise would not normally reach.

“I feel really proud of Ellisha, she embraces everybody.

“She gives people a lot of choices that they did not have before.”

The dance school sent 55 of its stars to Lincolnshire’s XM British Open street dance contest in March, where they won 147 trophies and a medal after competing against dancers from across the country and Norway.

Angie Hegerty Ward said the dance school was “life changing” for families and their children.

Mrs Hegerty Ward, whose 11-year-old daughter Daisy dances at the school, said: “It’s very different from anything else that’s out there. They really bring out the best of kids.”