Couples will be taking to the floor in a Strictly Come Dancing style charity competition in Folkestone this weekend.

The Strictly Folkestone show at the Leas Cliff Hall is returning for a second year, after the first one last year raised £9,000 for charity.

Town councillor and former mayor Emily Arnold organised it last year during her year in office and has taken the lead again for the show on Sunday afternoon.

She said: “The event last year was so successful, we managed to raise around £9,000 for the charities which was incredible. The main success of the event, for me personally, were the friendships made.

“The event itself was wonderful but the weeks of practice saw hilarious moments, moments where we thought we couldn’t do it, moments where we had to raise each other up and pull each other through it.

“When we thought about the event just simply ending, so many of the dancers wanted to do it again, so we found a way to include returning dancers and new ones.”

Cllr Arnold says the idea came about because she did not want to “just do another ball” but rather something which would have a bigger impact.

The Leas Cliff Hall and Shepway District Council have agreed some days can be used without a hire charge at the venue and the show will be held on one of the council’s free days.

Cllr Arnold added: “This event has been able to come about only with support from the local community without whom we would have no event.”

JB’s Dance Studio is training the couples from complete novices to turn them into the dancers who will be performing.

The show is supporting five charities, Headway and The Community Network chosen by Cllr Arnold and current mayor Martin Salmon’s chosen charities, Folkestone Rainbow Centre, Folkestone’s Division Guides and For Young People.

All the profits from Strictly Folkestone will be split among the charities.

Cllr Arnold said: “People can expect to see some incredible dancing provided by people, who were just a few months ago, complete novices.

“They can expect great food, and a good old knees up with the Apache Show Band.”

More details about competitions on the night including the chance to win a three-day luxury cruise for 11 people for £100 are available via the Facebook page ‘Strictly Folkestone’.

The show starts at 4pm. Tickets are available from www.folkestonefestival.org or 07581 524402.