Former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch starred in the role of an overweight mum who turns her life around -- by belly dancing in one of the BBC's afternoon plays. Angela Kelly went along to a Bolton class to try out the art.

"YOU are treading grapes, pressing your feet into the ground. Now, move your ribs forward -- and flick your hips."

Jane Wass is demonstrating the art of what we call belly dancing but what she insists is Egyptian dance. "Belly dancing sounds ugly, but this is not ugly dancing. This is Raqs Sharqi dance which is beautiful, traditional, part of a way of life."

What she says is fine by me. She is the lady in the shimmering head-dress, long gold earrings and flowing skirts who really knows how to twitch those hips.

And when she moves her belly, it moves in rhythm.

I am with a dozen or so other, ordinary females of a variety of ages in the cosy premises of the Friends' Meeting house in Silverwell Street, Bolton town centre on a chilly Tuesday evening.

Some of these ladies have obviously tried this dancing before, but we all warm up thoroughly beforehand with a series of yoga-type body-awareness exercises that loosen us up nicely.

"That's the key," says Jane, loosely. "Let your limbs go soft. Be aware of your belly button and the small of your back. Stand tall as if you have a pot on your head, and you are almost sitting on a bar stool."

This may sound strange, but it works. All of what Jane chattily asks us to do works, but then she has been dancing for 10 years and has all the moves we want to achieve.

Jane used to work for Granada as a post production adminstrator. She had always been interested in Turkey and its traditions, and she was working on a World in Action programme when a chance meeting with a friend already involved in Egyptian dancing introduced her to it.

She was hooked. Now, she doesn't work at Granada any more. Instead, she teaches the dancing at classes all over the Manchester area, with Bolton her newest. She also has a performance group which gives dance displays at a variety of venues.

"Egyptian dancing is wonderful," she states. "It improves your posture, flexibility and health. And it's fun!"

She certainly does not look her 42 years, and has the earthy presence and movement that keep all eyes firmly on her.

"It's not just dancing, though," she insists. "It is about culture and lifestyle. It's about being in touch with your body and enjoying its movement."

My movements don't look like they'd give anyone much pleasure -- a bit stilted and jerky at the start. But we walk around more senuously than I'd normally employ for a stroll round Asda, and the flick of the hips gradually comes naturally.

Paula Surtees certainly agrees with Jane's opinion. "Yes, it is good fun," says the 31-year-old from Atherton.

She joined the class in September with her friend, Christine Farnworth, aged 30, from Leigh.

And, yes, they can both see how it could be life-changing.

"I found I was practising the moves at home, doing the washing up. It does make you feel more flexible, more confident-looking, and more aware of how you're standing and sitting," says Paula.

"I've really enjoyed the dancing," adds Christine.

She admits that the only time she's tried out the moves away from the class was in the pub, after a few drinks. "I think I was good," she admits, laughing.

We are all wearing scarves around our hips ("historically, to cover and protect the female organs", explains Jane).

Her hip gear has little coins all over it -- a throwback to how gypsy girls showed off their wealth -- which jangle attractively when she performs the movements.

I suspect my jangle level would be very low, but still enjoy the feeling of rythymically dancing to the heavy beat.

The smell of incense floats gently round the room, the music feels hypnotic. You can almost see those gypsy campfires.

Belly dancing through the ages

RAQS Sharqi literally translates as Eastern dance and is the traditional dance of Egypt.

It is rooted in ancient times and developed over the centuries. Devotees say it is a powerful, earthy and fiery dance as well as fluid, subtle and expressive of inner mood.

There are different forms of Raqs Sharqi.

The sha'abi form is the simplest and has its roots in the farming communities (the Fellahin), tribes like the Bedouin, gypsy dancers (ghawazee) and the Saidi musicians of Upper Egypt between Luxor and Aswan.

The baladi form evolved in Egypt's large cities, mostly in Cairo, and is more complex and expressive.

The sharqi or classic form originates in the Golden Age of Islam and the Ottoman priod when dance was practised to a high standard under royal patronage in the courts and wealthy households.

For more information on local classes, contact Jane Wass on 0161-882-0787.