DANCE students from across the country will be converging on Keighley for a summer school.

The event has traditionally been held annually by the Sara Packham Theatre School, which is based in the town.

But this year's will be the first since before lockdown.

Specialist guest teachers, covering different dance genres, will pass on their skills at the event – which takes place at University Academy Keighley, from Monday, August 1 until Friday, August 5.

There will be five full days of classes, workshops and rehearsals, culminating with a full performance in the theatre on the Friday night.

Sara said: "This year we are very excited to welcome two professional dancers from the National Moravian-Silesian Ballet Company, who will be teaching ballet and contemporary, and the head of boys' training from the Hammond performing arts school. They will be joined by a jazz and commercial teacher."

She adds that students travel "from far and wide" to attend the summer school, with some returning year after year.

"As always we are welcoming students – girls and boys – aged from seven upwards," said Sara.

"We expect our usual mix of vocational and non-vocational students and we can even accommodate children with no dance experience.

"This year we already have young people booked on the course from Tring, Moorlands and Hammond schools, as well as locally-trained students.

"And we also have a different element this time, in that we are catering for adult dancers too.

"The performance at the end of the week will be based around the ballet Don Quixote but there will be contemporary, jazz and other pieces choreographed for the show as well.

"The show is the highlight. Friends and family are invited to watch – and I am sure they will be even more appreciative this year, after a long period of no performances."

During the week, younger students will also take part in craft activities such as puppet making.

For further information about the summer school and to apply for a place, contact Sara on 07988 484347.

Last month, members of the Sara Packham Theatre School raised £1,250 for the Ukrainian humanitarian appeal fund with a concert.

Sara said: "University Academy Keighley kindly loaned us its theatre, parents donated cakes, toys and raffle prizes and students performed favourite songs and dances.

"We are most grateful to everyone who contributed."

For more about the theatre school, visit facebook.com/MissSaraPackham.