A DANCE school has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special event while busily rehearsing its latest production.

The Joanne Banks’ Dance School, of Durham Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, held a silver ball at the Radisson Blu hotel in Durham on Saturday evening (July 4).

The red-carpet event, complete with a paparazzi-style photographer, was attended by about 140 students from the school along with their families.

Speeches focusing on past successes and future plans were also given by Kay Clarey, director of dance, and Hugh Conway, the studio’s lighting designer.

The event allowed pupils past and present to join with old friends to remember some of the 24 dance review shows they have performed around the North-East.

Joanne Banks, managing director of the school, also noted the contribution her performers have made to Darlington Civic Theatre’s annual pantomime.

She said: “Over the past 20 years we have provided over 250 of the juvenile performers who have taken part in the pantomime. It’s something I’m very proud of.”

The school has also been intensively rehearsing its latest show, called A Night to Remember, for the last six weeks. It will be performed at 7pm on July 16, 17 and 18 at Darlington Civic Theatre.

Miss Banks said: “Rehearsals are going really, really well. The show looks at memorable routines we have rehearsed recently but it also looks forward to our next 25 years.”