PUPILS at Lyneham Primary School brought tears to audience members’ eyes when they danced their way into second place in a UK competition.

Lyneham was one of 175 schools and 3,000 children who took part in the Great Big Dance Off, and after storming their way into the top five in the regionals, they were runners-up at the national finals held at the New Theatre in Oxford last week.

Pupils at Lyneham worked hard to create a dance along a military theme to represent their own families.

Headteacher Julie Carr said: “Sixty-five per cent of our families are serving in the Armed Forces so it’s something that has a huge impact on most of the children at the school “On Friday afternoons we held a master class. Natasha Dixon, from Natasha Dixon School Of Dance, worked with them to create the dance.

“All our children learn to dance and really enjoy it. It’s a great way they can express themselves.”

Adam Silcock took part in the contest. The 10-year-old Year 5 pupil said: “It was very pleasing to come runner-up. We had lots of help from Natasha as well, who was really, really supportive and really good.”

Thelma Mogopa lifted some of her fellow dancers in the routine. The nine-year-old, whose father is in the Army, said: “We worked really hard and it’s really good to come second.

“Doing the lift was a bit scary at first but you get used to it and you really have to trust the others.”

For more about the Great Big Dance Off, visit www.thegreatbigdanceoff.com