Gifted dancers from two Copeland schools held a half-day dance-a-thon to raise money to compete in a premier dance competition.

Students from Whitehaven Academy and Egremont's West Lakes Academy took part in the 12 hour dance session to support their 2018 Rock Challenge performance.

Over 60 pupils gathered at the Egremont school on Saturday for the dance workshop, which ran from 7am to 7pm.

The event was organised by Jenny Whitaker, from West Lakes Academy, and Abi Skillen, from Whitehaven Academy.

Mrs Whitaker said: "The students absolutely loved it and we're hopefully going to raise lots of money for Rock Challenge 2018.

"I was particularly pleased that Whitehaven Academy could be involved. I think this was something very special for our students to experience.

"It's what Rock Challenge is all about after all! I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making it such a great success.

"We are already discussing what we can plan for next year to make this event bigger and better!"

Rock Challege is an annual educational and aspirational performing arts competition for students in secondary schools. It communicates health and social education messages to teenagers.

Students have to raise funds to support their involvement in Rock Challenge, covering their costs of equipment, scenery, travel and accommodation.

Last year West Lakes Academy bagged the top spot at the Northern Premier Final of Rock Challenge.

The team, made up of more than 100 performers and stage crew, travelled to Grimsby to compete against 10 other teams.

But it was the academy's eight-minute piece based on a book by Laline Paull called The Bees, which resulted in them being crowned the winners.

Whitehaven Academy also made it through to the Grimsby final in 2017, with their performance of The Invention of Wings, a book by American writer Sue Monk Kidd. The school sent 88 students to the competition.

Rock Challenge sees each participating school put together an eight minute dance and drama production on a theme of their choice.

The initial competition takes place in Carlisle.