HUNDREDS of performers from dance schools across the Midlands will descend on Wyre Forest for the annual Dance Festival this month.

The festival is organised by the Wyre Forest Dance Festival Committee in association with the Civic Group, and thanks to a Localism grant from Wyre Forest District Council.

The district council has given organisers £2,000 towards the running of the event at the Civic Hall, in Stourport.

The grant means the Dance Festival Committee is able to provide a full programme of events - enabling hundreds of dancers to complete over the eight-day festival.

Dancers will be performing in a whole range of categories from ballet to cabaret. Tap, modern, song and dance, lyrical and contemporary dance are just a few of the other disciplines.

This year's adjudicator is Geoff Lucas. Geoff has dance in many big theatre productions and travelled the world as a member of an international harmony group.

Geoff will be scoring the performances. Those dances which attain a qualifying mark can go on to compete in the regional finals of the All England Dance Competition.

Any proceeds raised from the Dance Festival will be given to the Civic Group.

Jane Bennett, secretary of Wyre Forest Dance Festival, said: "The committee is grateful for the continued support from Wyre Forest District Council through the Localism Fund, and is looking forward to our collaboration with the Civic Group.

"Wyre Forest Dance Festival prides itself on the wonderful atmosphere that the festival exudes.

"There is fierce competition, but great camaraderie, and many lifelong friendships are made.

"It is a festival in the real sense of the word, a true 'celebration' of dance."

Marsha White, chairman of the Civic Group, said: "We are delighted that Wyre Forest Dance Festival is associated with the Civic Group and we look forward to enjoying a fabulous week of dance."

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member for localism, added: "The council is aware of just how popular this festival is in the dancing community.

"For more than 30 years we have successfully run the event but, in these tough financial times, this is no longer possible.

"We have worked hard over the past few years to have a smooth handover to the Festival Committee.

"They are doing a great job and we wish to continue to support them by making voluntary organisations like the Festival Committee eligible to apply for Localism grants.

"It is about working with communities and organisations to support services that meet local needs."

The festival will take place at Stourport's Civic Hall, between Saturday, February 18, and Saturday, February 25. It will run from approximately 9am to 8.30pm most days.

Entrance is £5 for adults and free for children under 16, who are accompanied by an adult.

Programmes are £2.50 and are now on sale at the Civic Hall between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday, and from the Worcestershire Hub, in Kidderminster.