DANCERS Rebecca Gerrard and Sally Beardall put their best foot forward to win matching titles at a prestigious international disco competition.

The pair, who are students of Sandham's Dance Studios in Farnworth, beat off thousands of competitors from across the UK to win their titles in the Four Nations International Dance Teachers' Association freestyle disco champions.

In the event, held at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, both girls competed in team and individual disciplines, dancing before judges an exhausting 30 times each in the one day final.

The girls danced through the day, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 7pm.

Sally, aged 12, from Farnworth, attends Harper Green School. She took the top slot in the under-12s freestyle category, while 17 year-old Rebecca, also of Farnworth, competed in the same category in the under-25 age group.

Sally said: "It was brilliant that we won. We had to dance all day and I was really tired afterwards."

The pair have both taken part in the competition for the last four years - but this is the first time either has won.

Rebecca, admitted to being nervous on the day, but said: "I think nerves are a good thing because it gave me a boost on the day."

The teenager is currently lining up auditions at dance colleges.