A NEW dance group in Saltcoats recently got their first taste of national competition and showed great talent and discipline to pick up some top accolades.

Dance Mafia, who are a dance school based at The Zone, Saltcoats attended their first ever dance competition in Musselburgh run by Dance Design Events on April 17.

DDE is the biggest group dance competition in the UK with hundreds of dance schools from all over the UK attending and performing in a variety of disciplines and fighting it out for a prestigious spot in the semi-finals in Blackpool later this year.

Dance Mafia entered two teams, The Maniacs raging from age 6-9 years and Fleek, the all girls team, raging in age 10-14years.

Dance Mafia exceeded all expectations and both teams bagged a top spot in the semi-finals.

The Maniacs won first place, highest scoring group and best small group.

Fleek won the prestigious adjudicators award chosen by Jazz Vessey, one of the best national dancers, with a very impressive CV including world street dance champion and dancing in the Michael Jackson tribute tour.

Amy-Leigh Cavanagh, who runs Dance Mafia, said: “The kids did absolutely amazing, had a fantastic day and performed their socks off.

“Now the hard work begins on the road to the semi-finals in Blackpool in September this year.”