A dance school in Workington has achieved outstanding results at a national dance competition held in Blackpool.

The Maria Frances School of Dance celebrated two firsts and a second in the senior category at the Association of American Dance awards day, at the Winter Gardens on November 25.

The school entered in the babes class with the Crocodile Rock, juniors came third with Atlantis and fourth with Fantastic Beasts and senior dancers came first with Roxanne and Feel it Still and second with Tomb Raider.

Principal Maria Pattinson, said: “I am totally overwhelmed with the results of all my dances and so proud of all of my dancers from my babes to my seniors and teachers, they come together not only to dance but to become a team, improve their dance ability and make lifelong friends. We have a very close and special dance family."

It is five years since the Maria Frances School of Dance last won the seniors competition and the occasion was made extra special as 2018 is the 30th anniversary of the school.

Ms Pattinson said: "I am extremely proud of my seniors as we have waited five years to win the senior section on the competition, this is a very hard section with some amazingly talented dancers from other schools."

Schools from all over the country sign up to compete at the competition with over a hundred dances taking place on the day. Dancers featured girls and boys with ages ranging from four to 33.

One of the dance school pupils said: “We are over the moon with the amazing results and after months and months of blood sweat and tears it has proved that hard work really does pay off. This is only possible because of our amazing dedicated teacher Miss Maria who dedicates hours and hours to us all and believes in us all.”

Dancers from all over Cumbria attend the Workington dance school and have been rehearsing since Easter for this national competition. Classes are held in Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven, Carlisle, Langholm, Ambleside, Penrith and Keswick.

The dance school proprietor thanked her team for helping behind the scenes and with costumes, music, props and fundraising. She also thanked one of the teachers, Melanie Preston, for choreographing and teaching two of the dances, Fantastic Beasts and Feel it still.