DANCERS in Todmorden have called on the council to reconsider their decision to lay a new non-slip surface in the town's ballroom.

The dancers say the new floor makes it impossible to perform the gliding moves associated with ballroom dancing.

Calderdale Council say it laid the new adhesive surface as part of a safety review in a bid to stop people falling over on the polished wood.

But dance organiser Margery King said the floor was now causing huge problems.

Mrs King, who lives in Hebden Bridge and has danced at Todmorden Ballroom for almost 20 years, said: "This is like using a sledge hammer to swat flies, it is way over the top. Ballroom dancing requires the feet to glide on the floor, but with this new surface your feet just stick.

"Every sport needs its own surface and ballroom dancing is no different.

"I think the council have been too hasty in putting down this surface, surely there is a happy medium which would be both effective in stopping people falling but would still be suitable for dancing. I have never heard of anyone falling and injuring themselves.

"The ballroom is a wonderful facility for Todmorden which we are very lucky to have and ballroom dancing is a wonderful activity which keeps a lot of people very fit and content.

"I would like the council to have a rethink and see if there is a way around this sticky problem."

A Calderdale Council spokesman said the authority had taken the decision to install the new flooring based on health and safety concerns.