A LOCAL dance group have picked up a top place in the largest competition in the country. 

Dance Mafia’s Maniacs dance team travelled to Liverpool this weekend representing the west of Scotland to battle it out against the UK and Ireland’s best dance teams at the ‘That’s Showbiz’ grand final at the Echo Arena, which seats 12,000 people. 

There was 1,005 dancers, 250 dance routines and over 600 dance schools in attendance at the prestigious final and the youngsters came back with third place.

That’s Showbiz is the UK and Ireland’s largest group dance competition. Dance Mafia’s Maniacs, who are aged between six and nine-years-old, danced their hearts out and made the crowd of 80 supporters who travelled with them, and the hundreds supporting back home who watched live through Facebook live, feed proud.

Their coach, Amyleigh Cavanagh, said: “Their determination and fight on the day was crazy. These children from a wee dance school in Saltcoats were dancing against the best of the best and proved to everyone they deserved to be there. After not even doing competitions for one year, they completely blew my expectations, I am so proud of everything they have achieved in such a small space of time. 

“And to top it all of Maniacs placed third and now have the title of third best hiphop act in Britain for there age! 

“What an amazing achievement to bring back such an prestigious title back to Scotland.”