30441-54LADIES, dust off your ballgowns ballroom dancing is back! A host of twinkle-toed celebrities is set to waltz, foxtrot and tango onto our screens in a revival of the popular show, Come Dancing, presented by evergreen TV personality Bruce Forsyth.

And the producers of the show, to be called Strictly Come Dancing, are predicting an upsurge of interest in dancing around the country.

However, to members of Heath School of Ballroom Dancing, in Bath Road, Old Town, the traditional style of dancing has never faded from view.

Ken and Monica Gibbs, Ruth and Dennis Tyler and 13-year-old Anna Torens are all committed ballroom dancers.

Ruth, who is in her 50s, from Swindon, said: "We started dancing 34 years ago but gave it up after a few years to start a family. We took it up again seven years ago.

"We both enjoy listening and moving to music. It's an interesting hobby we can do as a couple."

The school's principal, Jane White, 56, said: "It will be interesting if this programme encourages people to take up ballroom dancing."

Ken, 75, of The Mall, in Old Town added: "Now when youngsters go out they do this jigging on the spot to flashing lights and thumping music which isn't dancing."

The original Come Dancing show was created more than 50 years ago. At the height of its popularity in the 1970s 12 million people tuned in to watch. It was axed in 1996.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC1 at 6.15pm tonight. See 48 Hours for TV listings