YOUNG dancers aged five-11, plus family and friends, gathered in Worcester's Cripplegate Park on Saturday for a special event.

The youngsters were all members of community groups organised by Dancefest, a charity based in the city which runs over 30 weekly classes across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

And the event was the Big Dance Picnic, a gathering intended to kick off Dancefest's Big Dance Fortnight.

Some 250 people gathered for the event, enjoying food and drink in the park, whilst the children's dance groups performed.

Dancefest director Rose Beeston said she was delighted with how the event went.

She said: "We only had a couple of very light showers, which didn't bother us at all. We had a lot of sunshine, and I think a lovely time was really had by all.

"For lots of the children, it was their first performance in public, and they had lots of support for family and friends.

"It was really a happy relaxed atmosphere for them to perform in."

Big Dance Fortnight continues on Tuesday, with a show at the Artrix centre in Bromsgrove, featuring dance groups from primary and secondary schools in and around Worcester.

There are also events in Leominster and Hereford before the fortnight comes to a climax with Vista, a major performance at historic Croome Court, Worcestershire.

Dancefest has been working in partnership with the National Trust to produce Vista, a community dance performance that brings to life the landscape created by 'Capability' Brown, involving dancers of all ages.

Vista will be performed at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17. Visitors will be given a 'dance walk' map and are then free to travel to different performances along the walk, around the lakeside and its many temples, and at follies such as the Island Pavilion, the Temple Greenhouse and the Rotunda.