There wasn’t an Ann Widdecombe or Anton du Beke in sight at RAF Lyneham last Thursday, but eight couples took to the floor in a Strictly exciting dance-off for Help for Heroes.

Afterwards the light-footed team had six grand reasons to be cheerful with the 300 audience members voting for the couple they wanted to win by the amount of money they put in.

They chose Squadron Leader Michelle Casey and her partner, Flight Attendant Piers Liron.

Flight Sergeant Matthew Greene said: “We’re still counting the money, but we think we’ve got around £6,000. It’s going to Help for Heroes and the RAF Benevolent Fund. With the repatriations coming into Wootton Bassett and the jobs that we do, it is very close to home for us.

“It is a subject that is relevant and important for all of us. We can see where the money’s going.

“The injured often come back through Lyneham too on the same aircraft, and it’s the wounded who will really get the benefit out of the money we’ve raised.

“There are some men who will have to spend the rest of their lives with their injuries and that’s what makes it worth it.”

Flight Lieutenant Samantha Stewart, 28, organised the event. “We’ve worked incredibly hard and we hope to raise a lot of money for the cause,” she said.

All agreed it was an amazing night and great fun to be watching all the dancers.

Flt Sgt Greene added: “Some of them were really good, and some of them weren’t so good, but it all helps to raise money for the cause.”

There were four judges giving points from one to eight, and then the money raised by the audience went in as well. The judges were RAF Lyneham’s Station Commander, Group Captain John Gladston, his wife Jo, Station Warrant Officer Nick Dale, and the couples’ dance teacher, Maria Howse.

nHELP for Heroes will benefit from Milton Art Group’s 27th annual art exhibition at Milton Lilbourne village hall on Saturday and Sunday November 13 and 14.

The group has been meeting in the village hall for the past 27 years and its annual exhibitions feature around 100 paintings in all types of media.

The exhibition is open on the Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm and on the Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission will be free but donations will be invited for Help for Heroes.