GIFTED dancers can hone their talent thanks to a dance partnership.

Swindon Dance has been working with the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to develop workshops for young people who have a flair for fancy footwork, The Dance Academy, for 11 to 17-year-olds, gives young dancers with exceptional potential, a chance to show off their talent in a professional arena.

The programme is now half way through its pilot year with planning for the regional development and year two of the core academy at Swindon Dance now under way.

And the Commonweal School, which has the special performing arts status, is reaping the benefits. At an open day at the school, students got the chance to show how the academy is benefiting them.

James Northworthy, 12, said: "The day was really good. I liked the Banxy workshop the best as it is different from the normal dance I see on TV.

"My mate Sam Wearing and I make up dances when we are at home, it's a good way to relax, but I don't know if I will follow a career in dance."

Chris Wilson, 13, said: "I love dancing, I will probably go along to the auditions to find out more, but I don't know if I will make a career of it at this stage, I would like to see what opportunities come up."