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Take your partner: Rita Billingsley, left, who is not a wheelchair user, helps out as Amanda Pocklington demonstrates her teaching technique.

WHEELCHAIR users are being given the chance to tango, waltz and samba in dance classes specially devised for them.

Although the idea originated in the UK, it has taken off in Europe, particularly Holland and Scandinavia. Now a Kiddermin-ster woman wants to repeat that success locally.

Amanda Pocklington, 44, of Badland Avenue, has already run a wheelchair dance class in Hartlebury and will follow that up with another on Saturday.

Ms Pocklington said she came across the idea for the classes by chance when she was asked to review a Dutch wheelchair dance website.

Classes take the form of workshops where people begin learning individual skills and then progress to working with a standing partner and other wheelchair users to create a varied number of routines.

Ms Pocklington said: "Currently we can accommodate up to five people in wheelchairs because of limited space at the current venue.

"I hope to expand on this and anyone interested is welcome to come and take part."

She added: "People with other disabilities in addition to MS are also welcome to attend the classes, as the main aim of organising these events is to encourage people to socialise with one another and, importantly, to have fun and enjoy themselves.

"So far, we have had one workshop, which took place back in January but, hopefully, I would like to see these classes once a month, as it is important people who are disabled can meet up and socialise."

Ms Pocklington is a tutor at Newman University College, Birmingham, where her job includes supporting undergraduates.

Although she has a mild form of MS, she does not need to use a wheelchair herself but gets into one to demonstrate the dance techniques.

Saturday's wheelchair dance class workshop takes place at Hartlebury British Legion between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Admission is free.

For further information, contact Ms Pocklington on 01562 862614 or e-mail a.pocklington@newman.ac.uk

11:12am Thursday 8th May 2008

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