CHILDREN from schools across West Dorset got together at Charlton Down's Herrison Hall to launch a festival of dance.

The youngsters took part in the first West Dorset School Sports Partnership dance festival with the theme of the Olympics.

Andrea Williams, assistant partnership development manager who helped organise the event, said: "It was absolutely superb.

"The quality and standard of the dances performed were so high and they had obviously given a lot of thought to costumes with the Olympics theme.

"They all enjoyed it and want to do it again."

She said Year 3 pupils from 14 schools from Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland, Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis took part, and she added: "The venue was fantastic with a brilliant acoustic.

"The feedback is that they want to do it again so I hope we will hold another next year."

The eight-year-olds devised and performed dances to a choice from three pieces of music including Chariots of Fire and Carnival de Paris.

The event opened with a display of contemporary dance by boys from Budmouth College.

Students from Wey Valley and All Saints schools in Weymouth worked as young leaders with the children, taking them through a warm-down at the end of the festival.