A NEW Bolton business is organising a "Streetdance" competition which it thinks will be a North-west winner.

More than 100 dancers aged "eight to 80" are expected to take part in the event at the Thwaites Theatre in Blackburn on Saturday, March 15.

It is the brainchild of LesleyAnn Thompson, a director of the The Fame Factory Inc Ltd in Great Moor Street, Bolton.

Mrs Thompson was impressed when she saw a London competition for young people who enjoy the modern dancing they see in pop videos.

So she has organised a similar event for local talent.

"I don't think anything like this has been done before in the North-west," she said.

"Early indications are that there is a lot of interest.

"It will provide a great platform for budding young performers." Group and solo entries will be judged by Danny Price, a successful dancer, choreographer and teacher.

The winners will receive cash and dancewear.

Mrs Thompson said: "If it is a success we would consider making it an annual event and perhaps consider something in Bolton -- if we could get the venue."

The Fame Factory was formed with fellow director Joanna Astley -- a singing teacher trained at the Royal Northern College of Music -- in August last year. The business is made up of a dancewear shop, a singing studio, a management agency, event organisation and an own-label dancewear range.

Nottingham-born Mrs Thompson was formerly PA to cabinet minister Norman Tebbitt when she worked in London.

After meeting husband Darren on holiday she moved to Bolton 12 years ago and became a Training and Development Manager in Manchester for Barclays Bank.