ROCKING moves to everything from 70s disco to Lady Gaga, almost 600 youngsters celebrated their love of dance.
The East Surrey Steps Up dance festival returned to the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill to wow audiences for the fourth time, with performances on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Hannah Everitt, co-director of dance, music and drama school Star Steppers, which ran the event, said: "The lovely thing about it is we get lots of different children every year of all ages and all abilities – some who have never danced before. There are new people coming in to the festival every year and it is always very exciting – they get to perform on a big professional stage in front of their friends and families.
"It is lots of fun, it is not a competition in any way, everybody is there to celebrate their love of dance and have a really good time."
She said the inclusion of dance in the school curriculum, and the popularity of talent shows including Britain's Got Talent, have contributed to a surge in interest in the art.
"It has played a huge part. This is our own local version – although we are all winners here," she added.
Star Steppers members from groups in Caterham and Reigate performed in the show along with pupils at St Bede's, St Joseph's and St Matthew's in Redhill, Reigate Priory Junior School, The Beacon and Banstead Infants, Banstead.
St Mary's in Oxted, Hamsey Green Primary, Salfords Primary, Yattendon School in Horley, Audley, St John's and Essendene Lodge schools in Caterham, and Whyteleafe and Warlingham Village primaries also took part.
