A POLE dancing competition was such a big hit with the public more events are being planned for the future.

Eight girls took part in the event in front of a packed 100-strong crowd at the Swiss Chalet pub, off Cricklade Road, in Gorse Hill.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to fund specialist brain tumor treatment for Penhill youngster Callum Kaye, five.

Each dancer performed a routine to music with the winner scooping £180 and a gym membership at the Premier Club in Stratton.

The idea for the competition was to promote pole dancing as a fitness workout rather than seedy evening entertainment.

It was judged by boxing fan Keith Mayo, who owns Greenbridge MoT Centre, and Swindon Advertiser news reporters Jeremy Grimaldi and Ben Perrin.

The eventual winner was Emily Smith, 23, from Moredon, who has been using the internet for the last year to learn different pole dancing moves.

"I was so happy to win - I really didn't expect to," said Emily, who performed to Muse's song Supermassive Black Hole.

"I was really nervous but the routine went quite well.

"I had to improvise a little as the pole was spinning.

"I have had lessons before but I've mainly been learning moves off the internet from some of the UK's top pole dancing performers."

Christine Davies, a certified instructor in the art of pole dancing for fitness, organised the evening on Saturday.

"The evening went so well we are looking into other pole dancing competitions later in the year," she said.

"The girls were very professional and one girl even incorporated ballet into her routine.

"Pole dancing is a great way to keep fit and it requires considerable strength to hold certain moves.

"It's like gymnastics in some ways. I thought Emily did very well - as did all the girls."

Judge Keith Mayo said: "I thought all eight girls were brilliant. Everyone had a good night and it all went very well.

"I thought Emily was just slightly better and held her moves very well."

Now another event planned for June at Reflex.