PRIMARY school children have been getting some lessons in how to move around the dance floor from their elders.

Youngsters from the Early Years unit of the Federation of Snape Community & Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary schools, near Bedale, visited members of the Allhallowgate Methodist Church in Ripon to join in one of their afternoon tea dances.

Teachers said they received such a warm welcome from the members that within minutes the children were on the dance floor joining in with the Foxtrot, the Waltz, the Calypso and the Jive.

As part of their lessons they have been learning about the world of music and dance and staff said they were so interested and involved in the tea dance they’ve decided to hold their own event and are currently making preparations for the dance at Snape school for parents and members of the community.

The federation brought together the two small rural primary schools in the villages of Snape and Thornton Watlass in 2011/12 which are three miles apart.

Recent Ofsted reports rated both school as good.