TWINKLE-TOED youngsters from across the North danced into Burnley this weekend.

Some 700, aged from five to 15, arrived in the town to take part in the annual Burnley Dance Festival, held at the Mechanics in Oxford Road.

For the first time, this year's regional heat for the popular national Miss Dance competition was held in Burnley.

Many of the competitors travelled from as far away as South Yorkshire for their three minutes of glory.

Peter Jelley, secretary of the Festival of Music, Speech and Dance, said: "It really was quite remarkable that so many people came such a long way for three minutes of action.

"It is a very important competition and we were proud to stage the heats."

Seven categories were held in the main festival event, a forerunner to the speech and drama festivals in March next year.

Mr Jelley added: "We had people from across the area taking part this year and it was an excellent event all around.

"The people taking part loved the Mechanics and it is an ideal place to hold such an event, which takes in all elements of dance.

The winners of this weekend's event will hold a special show on November 10 at St Peter's Church, Burnley.