DANCE, dance wherever you may be.

Active youngsters from secondary schools across Cumbria wowed audiences at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake as part of U.Dance Cumbria – the county’s annual dance festival for children and young people.

The event is organised with the support of Cumbria County Council’s Active Cumbria team.

It brings together pupils of all ages from primary, secondary and special schools in Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland and Eden to perform and celebrate their achievements in dance.

The first performance of 2019 got underway on Tuesday.

Pupils had the amazing opportunity to perform on a professional stage to a live audience.

Schools taking part in Keswick this year are Kirkby Stephen Grammar, Newman Catholic School in Carlisle, St Joseph’s RC High, Appleby Grammar,

The Lakes, William Howard, Queen Katherine, Keswick, Workington Academy and Kirkbie Kendal.

They were joined on stage by Cumbrian students from the North West Centre for Advanced Training (based at The Lowry in Manchester).

Also taking part were Eden Youth Dance Company and Cumbria Youth Dance Company, who premiered the first of their three dances created in collaboration with Wired Aerial Theatre, a project supported by Arts Council England.

The evening inspired the audience and highlighted what amazing dance talent is on display in Cumbria.

U.Dance co-ordinator Lynn Barnes said: “The U.Dance Cumbria event at Theatre by the Lake always takes my breath away.

“The young people involved give 110 per cent and there’s an amazingly supportive atmosphere throughout the theatre.

“Even if you don’t have a child performing it’s a real treat to watch.”

The festival continues on March 11 and 12 at The Carnegie Theatre in Workington with primary schools from the Copeland and Allerdale area.

It will moves, on March 21 and 22, to The Sands Centre in Carlisle with primary schools from the Carlisle and Eden area.

U Dance Cumbria supports all of the county’s schools to create high quality creative dance within the curriculum and to celebrate this achievement through performance.

It is a much-loved event and a firm annual fixture on many school calendars as it promotes health and well being.

Dance helps children to keep active and move their bodies.