DANCE styles from all corners of the world are coming to Carlisle following a successful £10,000 funding bid.

The Dance Carousel project is launching this week at the city’s iCan fitness centre, in Denton Holme.

Multicultural Cumbria is behind the initiative, which is predominantly aimed at women from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds, to help break down the barriers to fitness.

Running in six week blocks, there will be a chance to try out different styles of dance - including African, salsa, Latin fusion, flamenco and Egyptian belly dance.

Multicultural Cumbria teamed up with iCan, which has just established a new dance studio space.

The project is also supported by the This Girl Can initiative, which encourages more women to get active, have fun and lead a healthy lifestyle.

The sessions are for women and girls of the age of 14.

Priority will be given to those from BAME backgrounds, though they will also be open to other women too.

Free childcare will be available for those who need it, making the sessions accessible to those who don’t exercise because of family commitments.

Multicultural Cumbria has been awarded just under £10,000 of National Lottery funding to deliver the Dance Carousel project.

Tina Borgia, from Multicultural Cumbria, is leading it, with expert dancers showing off different styles.

She said: “I am delighted to be able to offer this exciting project. It has been created after speaking to some women from Black, Asian and Ethnic minority backgrounds who told me they don’t feel able to access exercise because of cultural modesty and either a lack of a support network, such as having family members to look after their children, or due to financial constraints.

“We want everyone to experience our amazing, talented dancers. It’s going to be so much fun.”

Saj Ghafoor, chief officer of Multicultural Cumbria, thanked the National Lottery and its players.

Dance Carousel starts tomorrow, between 6pm and 8pm at iCan. Classes cost £2 each. To book a space, contact Tina on 07925 054439 or email tina@multiculturalcarlisle.org.uk.