OLDER people in Dorset are being urged to dust off their dancing shoes and discover some new moves.

A new community dance project aimed at the over 50s is launching this summer with the aim of encouraging adults across Dorset to get active through dance.

A Dance A Day offers weekly dance classes to enhance fitness, wellbeing and creativity at four places across the county including Portland, Purbeck and Lyme Regis.

This 12-month project is managed by Activate Performing Arts, the theatre and dance development agency for Dorset, and all participants in A Dance A Day will have the opportunity to perform in Weymouth and Portland as part of the cultural celebrations during the 2012 Games.

Project manager Alice Chutter said: “We’re trying to promote the health benefits of dance and to highlight the creativity of older people in the context of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“A lot of people who have booked onto the taster sessions have rekindled a passion for dance through the Strictly Come Dancing television programme.

“Ballroom dancing is becoming more popular again. I’m working really hard to put out flyers and spread the word.

“I think it will have a good take up, it’s fun, people should come along and give it a go, there’s nothing to lose.

“If it’s not for you then you don’t have to come back but we’re hoping to end up with a core group of up to 20 to take part in regular classes from September onwards.”

Led by qualified dance practitioners each session encourages creative movement, improving fitness and meeting new people as well as the opportunity to devise a personalised dance programme to keep you moving throughout the week.

Open to everyone from those who have dance experience but want to try something new or people who have two left feet but love moving to music.

Free taster sessions will be running throughout June and July 2011 in Christchurch, Lyme Regis, Purbeck and Portland.

The tasters will provide a free opportunity for people to come and get a feel for A Dance A Day and learn more about the regular weekly classes, which will launch in September.

To book a place on one of these free taster sessions, or for more information, please contact Rosalind or Alice at Activate on 01305 260954 or email info@activateperformingarts.org.uk

Session dates

• PORTLAND: Monday, June 13 and Monday, June 27 from 2pm to 3pm at Community 2000, The Community Centre, 6 Straits, Easton, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1HG.

• PURBECK: Monday, June 6 from 6pm to 7pm, Upton Community Centre, Poole Road, Upton, BH16 5JA.

Wednesday, June 22 from 10.30am to 11.30am, St Edward’s RC Church Hall, 1 Victoria Avenue, Swanage, BH19 1AH.

Wednesday, July 6 from 10.30am to 11.30am, Wareham Corn Exchange, Wareham Town Hall, BH20 4NS.

• LYME REGIS: Thursday, June 23, Thursday, June 30, Thursday, July 7, from 11am to noon at The Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QA.