An exciting new dance-filled festival is celebrating the success of its first-ever event.

More than 400 young people took to the dance floor at the Dorset County Dance Festival (DCDF), held in February at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester.

They performed an array of pieces from traditional classical ballet to modern-day street dance.

The DCDF was created in the many months of lockdown by local teacher and business owner Emilie Hardy and her team at THE STUDIO School of Theatre & Dance in Dorchester. It is a community interest company supported by volunteers.

The festival organisers wanted to utilise their time to create something positive and lasting for the county town, to grow year upon year providing an inclusive, accessible, and super enjoyable occasion for everyone who enters.

A spokesman said: “We would like to pay special thanks to this year’s adjudicator Jayne Cooper who is a teacher for the Royal Ballet School, ‘Sing Vid’ for their professional film, photography, and technical management, and of course all the participating schools and teachers who have given such fantastic feedback and support. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

“If you would like your school or organization to get involved in Dorset County Dance Festival 2024, the DCDF crew will be welcoming entries very soon, with both competitive and non-competitive sections, there really is something to suit and celebrate everyone, just search for us via social and get in touch.”