TRADITIONAL Sunday lunchtimes conjure up images of huge plates of roast beef and Yorkshire puddings and maybe a quiet pint in the local pub.

But while regulars at one Great Harwood pub tuck in to their food they're treated to something spectacular - salsa dancing!

As drinkers at the Royal Hotel sup up at the bar, they are treated to the sight of dancers strutting their stuff around them.

Owner of the Station Road pub Janice Booth holds the classes in the bar and says regulars enjoy coming along to watch.

"The original idea was to try and raise some cash for Support Dogs, a charity that provides specially trained dogs to help disabled and sick people," Janice said.

"We held three classes during which we managed to raise £150. They proved so popular that we decided we couldn't let people down, so we carried them on."

When the South American dance classes first started they were held in a music room, but dancers decided they preferred the laminate floor of the bar, so now they hold their lessons around other drinkers. Janice said: "People come in to watch the classes, they certainly have a very good view from the bar.

"The pupils don't seem to mind. In fact, they really enjoy it. The teacher, Austino, really gets them going and it seems to be a great way to avoid the temptations of eating a huge lunch and, at the same time, they can lose a few pounds." Salsa supremo Austino, whose real name is Austin Mortimer, hails from Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley, sand says he doesn't mind his classes being watched by drinkers.

"I think they find it really interesting," he said.

"And after all, salsa is a form of street dancing and is designed to be done in front of spectators."

The classes have been so successful that the students have even been asked to demonstrate their new skills to bar managers in Preston to persuade them to hold similar events.

But now they have become so accomplished at salsa, Janice wants to start a new class and needs beginners to come along and give it a go.

She said: "We're trying to get some more people to have a try because there are six or seven people in the original class who are just getting too good now.

"So we're going to hold a separate class for beginners."

If you want to take part in the classes call Janice on 01254 883541.