OSWALDTWISTLE hosts the country's first ever champion of champions clog dancing contest this weekend - and our very own Lauren Hargreaves is out to prove she has what it takes to beat the best of the rest.

Toe-tapping title holders past and present have been invited to take part in the inaugural event - the highlight of the East Lancashire Weekend of Dance at Oswaldtwistle Mills. And Lauren, 17, of Blackburn Road, Higher Wheelton, is confident she can add the champion of champions crown to her club title she won a year ago.

She said: "I've been practising very hard in between studying for my A-levels and I am confident I can win the crown. A lot of my friends think I'm a bit strange when I tell them I'm a clog dancer but they have learned to accept it when I say it's a hobby I love doing."

Sue Biggar, treasurer and secretary of the Ossie Cloggers who host the event, added: "As far as we know there has never been a champion of champions contest anywhere before, and we are hoping it will become a national event."

We have had a lot of interest from groups from across the North of England and if it is a success we will be able to attract clubs from across the country for future events."

While the cream of the cloggers event - which takes place on Sunday - will be the climax of the festival, a host of other activities will be going on, including a dance display in Accrington town centre on Saturday and a barn dance at Harvey Street Community Centre in Oswaldtwistle the same night.

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