APPARENTLY, it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing - but don't worry if it swung away, or never dangled there in the first place, it's never too late to learn, or re-learn, those dance steps of the golden age of the big band sound.

Robbie Williams's smash hit album Swing When You're Winning, featuring his versions of old crooner favourites, has brought the era back into vogue and now dance supremos Paul and Barbara Pritchard, from Pershore, are tutoring locals so they can keep bang up to date with the turning wheel of fashion.

Their dance classes, which started last week, are set to give even absolute beginners the confidence to sweep into local discos and dances knowing exactly how to swing their thing with the best of them.

Paul explained: "We tried some swing classes about a year ago but the response wasn't earth shattering - then we read an article about how Nasty Nigel from Pop Stars was set to put together a swing band, thinking that kids were fed up with dancing alone. Then, of course, Robbie Williams brought his album out and we thought we'd offer another swing workshop."

Paul, along with many a famous name, thinks swing is set to rise in popularity, predicting that youngsters will be wanting to dance with partners again as the fashions move around.

He said: "Swing is an era, rather than a specific dance as such, so it's made up of foxtrots, quicksteps, jives and jitterbugs all combining to make the swing style and that's what we're doing. It's not about dancing to just one tempo, class members will be able to dance to all types of music from the era."

The different types and speeds of dance, without a single set style, means swing can suit all types of people and the classes in Pershore are aimed at all abilities - with members definitely not obliged to fling their partners about helicopter-style.

Anyone of any age can have a go under the watchful eye of Paul, who has been in the top ten world rankings for ballroom and exhibition dancing and worked with big stars on big shows during a career on cruise liners.

Paul and his wife, Barbara, now run dance classes full time under the Dance at 8 banner at the Number 8 studio in Pershore High Street, Abbey Park First School and in Worcester and Malvern. Their list of workshops also includes improvers Latin and ballroom, a foxtrot workshop, Latin line dancing, and the video popstars courses which have proved a great hit all over the area.

Now there are two classes for adults to learn the pop video moves, as well as their children, who can now choose from three classes running in Pershore, Worcester and Malvern.

It seems the Vale is brimming with frustrated dancers as, said Paul, all the classes are well attended and some prove very popular.

Even Paul was surprised at a Tango Workshop before Christmas which was packed out with a large contingent of people in their 20s keen to learn the flamboyant steps.

Although mostly women sign up for the classes, men are encouraged on a money-back guarantee, but there are always enough people to make up pairs, so it's not obligatory to drag the unenthusiastic along - although the emphasis is always on fun rather than strict dance moves.

Paul said: "Dance fashions come and go like everything else. The good thing about swing is that you can do it at your own pace - it's not like jazz jive where everyone's going along at the same tempo. It has a slow side and a fast side and you can mix them up.

"We'll be trying to get people to learn about not following a routine and doing their own thing. We want to get people to try to be creative."

l Contact Dance at 8 on 01386 556665 or at www.danceat8.freeserve.co.uk.