DARRENERS will be dancing in the streets as organisers put the finishing touches to Darwen Dance Live.

Up to £4,000 of town council cash will be splashed on the event on Friday and Saturday, July 5 and 6.

Town councillor Vicky Rothwell, who runs the Dance Crazy Theatre School at Spring Vale Studios in Watery Lane, has spearheaded the event, which follows a successful first dance festival in the town last year.

Celebrity guests at the event will include Jeffrey Felicimo, a backing dancer for top bands JLS and Little Mix, and Turbo, who was a finalist on Got To Dance on Sky TV hosted by Davina McCall.

And organisers said there would be something for everyone, with activities aimed at all age groups.

Dance workshops will be held throughout the weekend, with styles including zumba, ballet, pole exercise, morris dancing, tap dancing and street dance including house, hip hop and break dancing.

Coun Rothwell said: “The dance festival is really important in bringing the community together.

“It gives children who may not have the same opportunities as others to get involved in all genres of dance and performing arts.

“It will also give the community a chance to see things they do not necessarily know are going on in the town.

“Hopefully, it will bring business to the town and show what we can do as a community. Dancing is really important for fitness as well as general health and wellbeing.

“This is yet another great event for the town made possible by the town council and we hope to grow it even more next year.”

The fun gets underway on Friday with an event at Darwen Vale High School from 6.30pm, which will feature performances from local schools and dance troupes, as well as celebrity guests Turbo who will give a workshop and demonstration.

Then on the Saturday venues across the town will host workshops, including Derwent Hall in George Street which will host ballroom classes aimed at the over-50s.

Other venues include Darwen Youth Centre in Knott Street, Darwen Aldridge Community Academy and Spring Vale Studios. Anyone wishing to host workshops in their premises can contact organisers at dancecrazystudios@ outlook.com