GREENOCK schoolchildren waltzed away with silverware from a major Scottish country dance festival.

Ardgowan Primary returned home from the Ayrshire Music Festival with top trophies to put back in the cabinet.

It was the second success story of the year for the boys and girls in primary four to primary seven.

Their latest haul added to the collection of trophies, medals and certificates bagged at the Inverclyde Music Festival earlier this year.

Ardgowan Primary’s success follows some hard after-school work which has seen the children put through their paces and perfecting the Dashing White Sergeant and Strip the Willow.

Head teacher Alison McLellan said: “I am very proud of all the pupils who took part.

“They work very hard with our country dancing teacher Helen Cunningham. All of them show tremendous commitment to come after school, and so do their parents who bring them. Even though we have been decanted from Newton Street, the mums and dads continue to bring them.

“We have a real tradition of country dancing in the school and it is something to be proud of. I think it is important to go to festivals in other places and meet other children.

“Country dancing also develops other skills that are just as important for learning, such as teamwork.” At the Ayrshire event, held last month, adjudicator Janet Johnston was full of praise for the pupils from Greenock.

It was not the first time that the school has triumphed at the showpiece.

Their success follows on from last year’s event, when they came home with a winner’s shield.