A DANCE school took part in a nationwide Tapathon helping to raise thousands for charity. 

Starkey School of Theatre Dance students took part in the dance at The Marchon Club in Whitehaven. 

It is part of a national initiative in which dance schools across the country take part in a routine tap dance together in aid of Children In Need. 

The dance school first took part in the event back in 2010 but due to Covid and other commitments dancers from the school hadn't taken part until this November. 

Karen Starkey, the owner of Starkey School of Theatre Dance, said: "We took part in the World Tapathon with the hopes of breaking a Guinness World Record. 

"It took place all over the country, but we didn't quite make it, we were a few short. 

"We were 212 people short of the world record but nationally we still managed to raise £35,000. 

"The event first began over ten years ago and all the money they raise goes to Children In Need. 

"The leader choreographs a routine and then she'll send the routine out to all the dance schools that want to take part and the students then learn it from their teachers. 

"Everyone buys T-shirts which is great because we don't have to use sponsor forms and on November 19 all the dancers taking part in the event tap the same routine at 1pm in the afternoon. 

"From my school, there were 52 people that took part, as unfortunately, we were down by a few people for various reasons."

A member of the organising team said: "Our aim of 7596 tappers (the current record held) was so very close this year, at 7384 participants and raising collectively in excess of £35,000, isn't that just incredible? 

"As said in previous years, it really is about what we attain as a collective from being involved in Tapathon, and as for not quite reaching that record, that is such a small part of what we all accomplish, together."

Former Whitehaven town mayor Charles Maudling attended the Tapathon with his wife to show support for the dancers who took part.