MORE than 1,000 children from 28 schools have taken part in a dance festival.

The Durham City School Sport Partnership’s (SSP) annual Primary Dance Festival was held at the Gala Theatre, in Durham, on Monday and Tuesday (March 11-12).

This year’s festival took numeracy as its theme.

Children danced on the Gala stage to number-related songs including ‘Rock Around the Clock’ and ‘5, 6, 7, 8’. Others used shapes and numbers in their routines.

Community dance coach Gemma Smith said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the children to experience performing on stage to an audience and I’m so proud of how they all performed.

“Everyone took on the numeracy theme and showed off their creative side in the routines.

“It’s great to see so many performers and hopefully the festival will inspire them to keep dancing.”