DANCE students will have to be on their toes when the teachers from the world-famous Kirov Ballet Company come to East Lancashire next month.

The Kirov, one of the most famous Russian ballet companies, will be sending a team of teachers to Britain in August for a two-week tour of workshops and lectures. And Blackburn will be host for a day on August 14. Thanks to sponsorship from Blackburn Arts Services and the North Western Dance Promotions group, the Kirov experts have been persuaded to spend a day at King George's Hall.

Graham Vernon from the dance promotion company said: "It is the first time the Kirov trainers have been to this area and we consider it quite a coup.

"Dancers of both sexes, all standards and all ages will have the chance to take part in workshops and lectures with them and we are sure places are going to be snapped up very quickly."

The sponsors are also looking for help from Russian-speaking people in East Lancashire who would like to meet the trainers after their day's work in King George's Hall or anyone who would be able to offer accommodation for a night while the group is in the area.

Mr Vernon added: "There will a session for the six to 12-year-olds between 9.15am and 1pm and for the 13-year-olds to adults between 1.30pm and 5.30pm."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.