HUNDREDS of dancers descended on Stourport during half term to showcase their talents in the annual Wyre Forest Dance Festival.

The eight-day event at The Civic saw talented children and young people from dance schools across Worcestershire and as far away as Cannock compete for medals.

Styles ranged from ballet to contemporary, including acro, lyrical, modern, song and dance and Greek,

Adjudicator Vicki Durning said she was impressed by the high standard of the competitors who performed solos, in duets, trios and groups.

The Senior Champion title went to Lucy Jones, aged 17, from Worcester’s Academy Theatre Arts, knocking last year’s winner Ellie-Mae Fereday, also 17, from Kidderminster-based Splinters, into runner-up spot.

Splinters’ dancers brought home several other awards including Intermediate Champion won by 13-year-old Daisy-Mae Bunn.

Lily L’Enfant, aged 10, won Most Promising Female and came runner-up in the Junior Championship, whilst her sister Lauren, aged 12, was awarded Most Moving Solo.

Daniel Richards, aged 16, won Most Promising Male and shared the award for the highest solo mark of the festival with Daisy-Mae Bunn and Hatti White.

Daniel, also came runner up in a regional heat of the national Master Dance contest which was held at the festival, attracting dancers from as far away as Middlesbrough.

The individual showing outstanding team spirit in group work award went to Leah Hathaway, from Stourport’s Step By Step and the Baby Special award was presented to Madison Davies, from Wolverley-based Starlight Dance Academy.

Step By Step won best acro groups at junior, intermediate and senior level and Splinters picked by awards for best troupes and classical groups.