THE grace and elegance of ballroom dancing is alive and well in the Forest – and lots of young people are up for the challenge to learn!

Youngsters aged from four to 16 – all pupils at Susan's School of Dance in Cinderford – have put their best feet forward to win awards marking their achievements over weeks of training.

Following the medal and certificate presentation held at Cinderford's Worcester Road Centre instructor Susan Hurrell said dancing was not only a fun way to exercise but offered an opportunity to make new friends and to build confidence. There were, she said, classes for children and adults.

Award winners were: Rosettes (for waltz, tango and samba) Joseph Hughes, Ashleigh Gwynne, William Hughes and Megan Morgan. Social dance (waltz, quickstep and tango) Charlotte Phelps; One dance (tango) Chelsea Newman, Dionne Bevan, Martine Wentworth (all commended). One dance (foxtrot) Amy Gwilliam, Laura Phelps (commended). Bronze medal (waltz and quickstep) Amy Gwilliam, Laura Phelps (both commended). Silver medal (waltz and quickstep tango) Ben Wentworth (highly commended), Gold bar 2 (waltz, quickstep, foxtrot and tango) Lucy Phelps (commended). Adult bronze 2 (foxtrot and tango) Sharon Shirley, Jason Shirley.

The School of Dance highest mark trophy was won by Ben Wentworth with 88 per cent.