CHILDREN of all ages thrilled audiences with their dancing talents at a festival yesterday.

About 270 children from schools in Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area donned colourful costumes for the dancing bonanza at King James I Community College.

Youngsters as young as four showed off their skills after practising hard for the event, which was organised by school sport co-ordinator Garry Purcell.

He said: "We have been working in the schools to try and promote dance. Children from the ages of four to 16 have taken part and we are trying to link in with the community as well.

"It has been fantastic. A massive amount of people have turned out to see it.

"We have worked with dance schools as well, and we are hoping that when parents see what has been achieved they will want to become involved. We have also had a lot of support from Wear Valley District Council."

It is the fourth year that the festival has been held. Initial funding came from the Youth Support Trust and Sport England, but the event is now being funded by the Department for Education and Science.