THE government's decision to keep dance schools closed while reopening pubs has been slammed as 'illogical' by parents.

Children's dance classes have to be held in isolation and over a Zoom call with their instructors during lockdown.

Rachel Baker's daughter Georgia has been practicing on Sandbanks beach as her dance school in Poole has been closed since March.

Georgia, 10, and her fellow young dancers hoped they would be able to get back in the studio when the lockdown eases on July 4.

But they were left deflated when it was revealed that all dance schools will have to remain shut for longer.

This is despite pubs and restaurants getting the green light to return to business on that date.

Mrs Baker said: "Georgia absolutely lives and breathes dancing, it's her passion.

"Her dance school, Steppin Out, has been superb in putting together online dance lessons via Zoom even before official lockdown began.

"We all had high hopes they would be returning to the studio soon but we were devastated when the government said dance studios had to stay closed.

"It seems illogical that adults can soon return to pubs and get drunk, people can throng beaches but my daughter cannot return to something that is so good for her physical and mental health.

"The mental health and education of our children is being very much overlooked by the government."

Angela Taylor, head of the Steppin Out Academy, said it seemed wrong that adults would soon be able to get drunk in the pub again, but children are being stopped from pursuing their passion.

She said: "I am sad for our young students and all young dancers and young performers in training following the government's announcement dance studios have to stay closed.

"So nothing for the kids has been restarted - while adults can shop and go to the pub, kids can't dance.

"We are giving educational qualifications and future careers.

"Science has said children are not at risk so let them come back to dance and help save our future generations mental health and give them back something."