YOUNG dancers from schools across Cumbria are limbering up for a celebration of dance.

The countywide festival - U.Dance Cumbria - is to feature more than 1,500 pupils from primary, secondary and special schools taking part in five performances.

Young people from Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, Appleby Grammar School and Dowdales School, Dalton-in-Furness will be heading for Keswick's Theatre by the Lake on Tuesday, March 14, to share the stage with Eden Youth Dance Company and Cumbria Youth Dance Company.

And on Thursday, April 6, youngsters from 19 primary schools including Crosby Ravensworth will showcase their dances about time travel, chocolate, the Stone Age and the circus, at Carlisle's Sands Centre.

Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre is also to host its annual schools dance platform in association with U.Dance from Monday, March 20 to Thursday, March 23.

Festival coordinator Lynn Barnes said: "We are fortunate in Cumbria to have such a commitment to and enthusiasm for dance from our local primary and secondary schools. U.Dance Cumbria is a really popular way for schools to share and celebrate their achievements in dance with each other and with parents."