HUNDREDS of dancers took to Darlington’s Market Square to strut their stuff in orange t-shirts for the This Is Me mass dance.

The annual event was opened by North-East panto star Liam Mellor and Mayor of Darlington Councillor Veronica Copeland, while the compere was Joanne Lowe, of Darlington Dance Festival Association (DDFA).

Joanne Scott, DDFA chair, said: “This year’s theme was This Is Me. We wanted to show how everyone can enjoy dance no matter what background, age, race, culture, sexual orientation or abilities you have.

"We wanted to encourage people to be comfortable in their own body, to recognise everyone is different and to celebrate that it’s ok to just be you."

This year’s mass dance was choreographed by Red Hall Dance School seniors. Joanne added: “All of us at DDFA want to pay a big special thanks to them for stepping up to the challenge and choreographing this year’s mass dance and going over and above getting out to schools and dance groups helping them to learn this year’s dance.

"They have done a fantastic job following on from Debbie Harbin and Darrien Wright’s amazing legacy.”

A festival showcase will be held at the Hippodrome on July 7.