THE East Lancashire stars of the future laid on a dazzling dance extravaganza.

More than 200 talented young dancers, aged between 11-21, wowed the audience, including Blackburn with Darwen Youth Dance Company, Breakout Performance Group (BPG) which includes youngsters from Burnley and Burnley College’s Pennine Lancashire Youth Dance Company, known as the Misfits.

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The seventh edition of the Lancashire Youth Dance Festival was organised by Ludas Dance and The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster, which hosted the event.

Sally Gorton, of Ludus Dance, said: “The festival never fails to provide inspiration and encouragement on the wealth of young talent in Lancashire.

“It showcases some of the most innovative and challenging work from youth dance companies across Lancashire and the wider North West.

“This year, we recognised the achievement of these local young dancers – many of whom will go on to study dance at degree level – supporting them with the development of their skills and technique, allowing them to learn and grow alongside their peers and giving them a taste of what it’s like to perform work to a professional standard in a professional venue.”

She was particularly impressed by the Misfits.

She said: “Their piece was entitled ‘Introducing’ because it was their first high-profile performance as a group and they were outstanding.”

And Sally was keen to stress the work being done by the Breakout Performance Group.

She added: “The BPG is an integrated group, which includes both able-bodied and less-able bodied dancers – one girl was in an electric wheelchair.

“For the initial stages we took two classes, one in Burnley, one in Wyre near Poulton-le-Fylde.

“The workshops brought the group together and are now looking for funding to have a long-standing integrated youth dance group for Lancashire.”

The whole event was followed on Twitter, #ydfest15, which includes videos of the youngsters flashmob dancing outside the venue to the songs of the Backstreet Boys.