DEFT disco dancers are celebrating success at the British Freestyle Championships held in the famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Youngsters from the Lorraine Blue School of Dance were up against international competition but came home with a first place, a second, two fourths and a sixth place.

Talented Abbie Rankin, 12, from Port Glasgow, finished first in the under-14s starters section and the local school also won a fourth and a sixth place in the category.

In the under-12s beginners section they gained a fourth place while there was a second place in the under-16s.

Dance teacher Lorraine, who is based at Kerr Hall in George Square in Greenock, said: "I am very proud of what all the dancers achieved.

"It is a very tough competition.

"For three girls to get into the final of one section was great.

"Freestyle championships are very competitive.

"There were dancers from Norway, South Africa, England and Ireland, from all over the world.

"Abbie has worked really hard and worked though all he sections very quickly, from beginners to intermediate."

Lorraine says the success at the event was down to a real team effort.

She said: "All the dancers have done well, I'm really proud of them.

"They compete against each other and are glad when their friends do well."

She praised the families of the dancers and said they are very supportive and pitch in with fundraising.

Lorraine said: "There were 60 of us including 25 dancers.

"The girls loved it.

"They went to the pleasure beach the day before the competition and had great fun."