BALKSBURY Junior School is celebrating after coming first in the area round of The Red Cross – Dance: Makeyour- move competition.

The pupils now go to the regional finals in East Grinstead on June 29 where they will compete for a place in the national finals at the O2 arena in London.

The junior and senior heats took place on Saturday at The Lights in Andover.

The theatre was a sell-out and the teams from Knights Enham Juniors, Kimpton and Anton all provided a high standard of competition.

Balksbury has entered a team for the past eight years under the guidance of teacher Pauline Parker. The dancers from Years 4, 5 and 6 meet weekly throughout the year. They were keen to improve their technique throughout rehearsals, and expupils Millie Athawes and William Parker (now students at John Hanson) even returned to help coach individuals.

“We told them just to enjoy their performances but it became clear from the audience responses to the final rehearsals that this was possibly the best dance Balksbury had ever produced,”

said Pauline.