Keen dancers at an Egremont school held a half-day dance-a-thon to raise money to compete in a premier dance competition.

Students at West Lakes Academy took part in a 12-hour dance session to support their 2017 Rock Challenge performance.

The pupils gathered on Saturday to enjoy a range of dance workshops as well as a cake sale and raffle.

They have already raised over £1,110 to go towards the costs after completing a bag pack in Whitehaven’s Tesco last month. Students collected donations from members of the public in exchange for helping them pack their shopping.

Last year, students displayed a performance called Sha’ir Badawi, about a group of travellers in a faraway desert.

They won 12 awards including for performance skill, stage use, soundtrack and entertainment. And teacher Deborah Jackson said the team was “extremely proud” of the pupils.

Staff member Jenny Whitaker said: “The dance-a-thon was a huge success. The students not only got to experience a wide range of dance workshops but they were able to fundraise for our Rock Challenge team at the same time.

“The total amount raised is yet to be confirmed but we are optimistic for an amount which reflects the students’ efforts, this will allow us to travel to Grimsby and compete in July.

The school is holding a prize bingo on Tuesday, February 7 at 6pm and a variety show on Wednesday, February 15 at 7pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the academy reception at £3 for bingo and £4 for the show. All money raised will go towards the Rock Challenge team.

Due to its success last year, the team has already qualified for the premier division of the northern final in July.

They will showcase their new performance for the first time at the Sands Centre, in Carlisle, in April.

Rock Challenge sees each participating school put together an eight minute dance and drama production on a theme of their choice.