YOUNGSTERS flocked to Burnley Festival to dance the weekend away.

The event attracted almost 700 entries - the most since 1992 - with most from outside the area.

While the number of local dance schools has declined in recent years, many new ones have set up all over the North and their members flocked in for the Burnley festival and the excellent facilities at the Mechanics venue, said festival committee chairman Anne Amison. "The standards of dancing have been excellent and people who have not come along just don't know what they missed," she added. The three-day event also boosted bookings at hotels and guest houses.

"Every travel lodge in the area is full to capacity with festival visitors. Visitors are also out in town spending money and the whole thing gives a real boost to the local economy," said Anne.

She added: "The Mechanics is a unique venue and has proved very popular." Winners last night competed for top awards, including £35 and £50 bursaries.

The bursaries were introduced two years ago for junior and senior dancers and have proved very successful, boosting audiences as relatives and friends support dancers.

The festival has been running for 66 years and for the last 20 has been organised by the same small team of enthusiasts.

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