YOUNGSTERS from across the north of England descended on Darwen Library Theatre for a weekend celebration of song and dance.
The annual Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance attracted dancers from as far as the North East and Yorkshire to perform classical ballet, national, tap, modern, character, song and dance and Greek - plenty to keep the crowds entertained at the popular event.
The adjudicator was Laura Symonds, a former student of the Royal Ballet School, now a freelance teacher and choreographer.
The festival was first held in 1946 and gives aspiring youngsters the chance to shine in the spotlight.
This year the young performers impressed judges with their folk songs, performances and light operatic solos.
The festival is affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.
The first leg of the competition was at the weekend and concludes on May 3, 4 and 5.
On the second weekend there will be a heat for Miss Dance of Great Britain, featuring modern dancing.
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