DOZENS of young dancers from Oxford have shimmied their way to a huge collection of trophies in a competition hosted by Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman.
A total of 50 competitors, aged between four and 17, from East Oxford-based Flair Dance Studio, entered the Camber Sands Freestyle Dance Festival.
The event in Sussex, which attracted 1,000 entrants from all over the country, was celebrating its 25th year and had Mr Goodman, 65, as its host.
The group from Flair Dance Studio, which is based at St Gregory the Great School in Cricket Road and holds classes all over the county, took home more than 50 trophies.
Last year, the dance school walked away with a similar number of awards, but in 2007 it bagged just five.
Instructor Kelly Poulter, from Woodstock, said: “To make it to the finals was a huge achievement — I’m over the moon about it.
“The standard was better than ever.
“Although I have been taking the school to this particular festival for 10 years, for most of them it was their first time.
“They have been working so hard and it’s lovely when they get the results they deserve.
“Their parents have also been brilliant and supportive, because the kids, even the younger ones, have been training six or seven hours a week.”
She added: “Len Goodman was compering on Friday and Saturday morning. Then he had to whizz off to London to film the live show for Strictly Come Dancing.
“Everyone was so pleased to see him, and the younger children were starstruck.
“He is a brilliant man, so funny and entertaining.
“I feel privileged to know Len and for him to still make time for the kids is great.”
Tia Afilaka, five, from Bicester, won the under-six solo section and under-eight pairs, while Chanel Howard, 15, from Blackbird Leys, won the under-16 championship.
Tia’s mother Tracy said: “It was amazing. My little girl has only just turned five and has only been doing it for a year.
“They couldn’t have done it without their teachers — they are amazing.”
tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk THE following dancers went home as winners: Tia Afilaka, five, from Bicester, won the under-six solo section and under-eight pairs.
Madison McDonagh, four, from Woodstock, won the under-eight pairs Macy Timony, six, from Kennington, won the under-eight pairs Chloe Crook, seven, from Cowley, won the under-eight intermediate pairs.
Leah Jones, six, from Cowley, won the under-eight intermediate pairs.
Kara Selby, nine, from Bicester, won the under-10 beginner section.
Roseanna Hackett, 11, from Horspath, won the under-12 intermediate solo.
Anneisha Ximines, 13, from Cowley, won the under-16 championship.
Eloise Sadones, 13, from Woodstock, won the under-16 beginner pairs.
Jade Wyatt, 14, from Wheatley, won the under-16 beginner pairs.
Chanel Howard, 15, from Blackbird Leys, won under-16 championship.
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