More than 270 youngsters took part in this year's Marlborough Area Dance Festival on Saturday.

The theatre at St John's School in the town was packed out for two sell-out performances hosted by St John's sixth formers Jak Maloret and Toby McShane.

Young people aged four to 18 represented 13 local schools in the festival and entertained a theatre filled with proud parents, brothers and sisters and grandparents with a dazzling variety of dance acts.

Performances from all schools were outstanding, particularly as each school had received just six hours of professional coaching to prepare them for the event.

The finale had all 270 children dancing together to a rousing chorus of Don’t Stop me Now by Queen – ensuring every single member of the audience went home with a huge smile on their face.

Sophie, from Great Bedwyn, said: "It is so brilliant, I wish I could do it again, and again and again."

Kate from St Katharine’s School, said: "I was nervous at first, but I had lots of fun," while Jessica from Preshute said: "I loved feeling like a star. It’s great performing in the dance festival – every year the show gets better!" The theme was Olympic Dreams – and during the show the stage was awash with red, white and blue banners, ribbons, Olympic torches and hoops.

St John’s had four dance companies performing – Years 7, 8 and 9 and Seniors comprising Years 10, 11 and Sixth Form. Year 7 dancers packed the stage and energetically entertained the audience with dances they had choreographed themselves. Year 8 wowed the audience with a piece that included five different dance styles – Irish, Bollywood, Tribal, Charleston and Modern, while Year 9 performed a slick and stylish routine using flags, and the Seniors impressed with their contemporary show piece.

The festival was the fifth to be held and was a wonderful way for children from schools across the area to work together to produce a quality entertainment for their parents.