DANCING stars from a Port Glasgow primary have been praised for playing a key role in keeping part of Scottish history alive in Inverclyde.

Twinkle-toed pupils from St John’s have been lauded by the organisers of the Inverclyde Music Festival for their efforts in promoting country dancing.

The age-old primary school activity will feature in the programme of this year’s event despite ‘dying away’ in other areas.

But country dancing remains alive and kicking in Inverclyde and festival chiefs are keen to keep it that way.

Former Aileymill head teacher Isabel Lind is president of the festival and recently presented a prize to St John’s for their hard work.

They also received a copy of a specially-made CD from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society called ‘Jigs and Reels’.

Mrs Lind said: “A number of schools have shown an interest in developing country dancing and St John’s is one of them.

“The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society do a fantastic job and it’s great they’ve produced this CD which we were able to present to St John’s.

“Hopefully other schools will show an interest.”

Mrs Lind and the rest of the festival committee are on a crusade to boost the profile of country dancing because of its historical importance in the area.

It will be prominent in this year’s festival programme alongside the popular singing, performing and speaking sections. Mrs Lind said: “We’re very keen to keep country dancing at the festival.

“Sadly it’s been dying away elsewhere but it’s very much part of our culture and we don’t want it to disappear.

“We are so lucky to have Scottish country dancing.”

The annual Inverclyde Music Festival extravaganza gets under way on Monday January 25 through to Saturday February 6.