THESE youngsters are hoping to be crowned salsa queens and kings in a dance-off.

For the first time, Oxford is holding an inter-school latin dance championship.

A total of 72 pupils from three different city schools have been training hard and will take each other on in the salsa, the merengue and the bachata.

Salsa Kids was first launched as part of PE sessions at Pegasus Primary School, Blackbird Leys, three years ago, and since then Rose Hill Primary School and Orchard Meadow Primary School, Blackbird Leys, have signed up.

Pegasus assistant headteacher Beth Wilson said: “The children are just so enthusiastic about it, which has been brilliant.

“It really helps with behaviour because it is such a positive experience for them.”

She said children were able to relate to the music and the dance moves, and staff and parents also joined in which helped the budding dancers realise it was something anybody could learn.

She added: “It means the girls and boys have to work together and they are not finding it awkward or embarrassing.

“It is really nice to see girls and boys can mix and enjoy it.”

The contest takes place at Pegasus on Thursday, March 25, when teams from each school will perform the three dances.

Dancers from Salsa Piccante will do a display during the event, along with Year Six pupils from Pegasus.

The following week, the dances will be showcased for parents and pupils in each school.

Instructor George Martini said: “The whole point of this is to get children to learn about different cultures and dancing, and getting them all to dance together.”

Each of the children taking part will receive a certificate and a medal, and the winning team will get a trophy to keep.