A dance school from Maidstone has been named best in Britain at a competition in Blackpool.

Hilton Hall Dance Academy beat more than 2,000 entries from the UK and Northern Ireland to the title.

The group received a Britain's Got Talent-style golden buzzer at the VAD Dance Inspirations regional heats in November which saw them head straight to the finals at Viva Vegas, Blackpool.

At the nationals, the dance troupe, aged 12-17, performed their classical group dance named Ring O Roses.

Their show was such a success that they were awarded first place out of the 10 finalists and given the title of national champions.

For the second year running, the company won the highest ranking dance school category, based on a combination of results in other solo and trios dances on the day.

Hilton Hall Dance Academy, which practice at Raglan House in St Peters Street, was also given the coveted Dance Inspirations UK and Ireland Most Inspirational Dance Act award.

Joanna Hilton, co-principal of the organisation, said: “We are so delighted and proud of these girls, individually and as a team.

"The dedication and commitment required to compete at this level is testing for young people but these girls have proved to be a delight to teach and have now achieved recognition nationally”.

The routine, choreographed by Joanna Hilton, and further adapted by Alexa Hilton, the other principal and co-director of the dance academy, was an obvious choice.

When it was first performed at the group's annual show at the Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, the crowd loved it and they wanted to move it into the competitive circuit.

The school is preparing for a number of other competitions and its annual '25' show on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone.

Tickets are now on sale.

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