MORE than 100 dancers from all over East Lancashire descended on Pendle over the weekend to take part in the Nelson Dance Festival 2004.

The festival, which has been running for more than 50 years, is held at the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, in New Market Street, Colne, over two weekends.

The first weekend was for children under the age of 12, and next weekend it will be the turn of dancers aged 12 to 22 to compete for trophies.

Dancers competed in categories including ballet, tap, modern dancing and song and dance.

The youngsters were judged by Patricia Lupino Thompson, from Bury, and a trophy presentation ceremony was held after the last dance lst night.

Nelson Dance Festival committee secretary Muriel Mutter said the first weekend had been a great success.

She added: "The number of entrants was up on last year and the standard was very good.

"We are now looking forward to next weekend."