ALMOST 200 dancers are practising some fancy footwork for one of their biggest shows of the year at Newcastle Playhouse at the weekend.

Pupils of the Joanne Banks dance school will mark a double milestone when their show Dancing to the Rhythm goes on stage on Friday and Saturday nights

Joanne, of Spennymoor, is celebrating 15 years in business and this is her tenth season at the Playhouse. She choreographs and directs the show, which features tap, jazz and acrobatic sequences.

Costumes for 42nd Street have been imported specially from America and there are hundreds of others for the cast of 176.

Joanne's mother Chris Banks said: "We have had a lot of success stories over the years. One of Joanne's first pupils, Gemma Tyers, who joined when she was four, is now dancing on a liner in the Caribbean.

"It shows what can be achieved."

Only a few tickets are left for the show, telephone Mrs Banks on (01388) 815105.