BELLY dancer Tina Hobin is aiming to put Middle Eastern dancing on the map with the launch of a groundbreaking teaching course. Belly dance teacher Tina Hobin.

Mrs Hobin, of Mamble, is setting up the first accredited training course for people wishing to become belly dance teachers, at Newbury College, Berkshire, from October.

Students already signed up include two people living in Wyre Forest.

Mrs Hobin, who has been teaching belly dancing since 1975, said she had set up the three-year training course to promote a "more professional approach" in the UK.

"All other forms of dance, exercise and relaxation now have qualified teachers, but there is no recognised formal qualification for Middle Eastern dance," she added.

The author of several books on the subject, Mrs Hobin has appeared on many TV programmes since first taking up the dance form in the 1970s.

"Because it has many health and relaxation benefits, belly dancing has dramatically increased its popularity as people look for alternative forms of exercise," she said.

Mrs Hobin, who is in her 60s, said belly dancing was enjoyed equally by men and women from all walks of life, and of all ages, from eight to 80.

"It offers something different to the more competitive but repetitive aerobics and keep fit programmes," she added.

She said the conventional image of belly dancing was a myth created by filmmakers and the reality was a joyous, celebratory activity practised by people of all ages and sizes.

Mrs Hobin, who already teaches belly dancing in Wyre Forest, said there were a lot of unqualified people purporting to be qualified teachers who were ripping students off.

The course, to be assessed by outside verifiers, is open to students proficient in the dance and who have started, or completed, a relevant City and Guilds certificate.