Dance school celebrating its 20th anniversary did not let Covid-19 spoil the party

Instead of rehearsing as usual in their brand new space, Dancemania and DM Diamondz spent the 19 weeks of lockdown undertaking online activities and reflecting on past achievements.

Coaches used the online platform Zoom to have daily arts and crafts sessions, set youngsters stamina challenges and to make mini movies before also having socially distanced dance sessions in Gourock Park.

Dance school founder Ann Marie Campbell said: "We kept busy and were running activities alongside our normal timetable.

"Everyone enjoyed the Zoom sessions too.

"We tried to keep life as normal as we possibly could during that horrific time."

The Tele recently reported how the dancers were all able to return to the Gourock studio space on Caledonia Crescent in September for the first time in five months.

The fate of the dance school was up in the air throughout lockdown however Ann Marie, daughter and fellow coach Gemma Campbell and many of the 100 members used the summer to reflect on their favourite experiences as a reminder of everything the group have achieved.

Dancemania have come a long way since their first show in 2001.

They launched cheer classes in 2010 and opened their own studio last year, where they also hold adult dance classes.

Some of the other highlights for the group have been a red carpet event at Waterfront Cinema to premiere their dancing DVD, winning Grand Champions at Bolton, winning a Greenock Telegraph Community Champion Award and having Christmas collections for Compassionate Inverclyde and Mary's Meals.

Now the group are looking forward to 2021 - and the expected return to business as usual.