STUDENTS from a dance school in Kendal had to dig snow, grit roads and remove fallen trees to make it to a very special performance at Blackpool Winter Gardens at the weekend.

23 dancers from The Dance Atikk aged from 7 to 18 years were set to perform at the Christmas Hits 2023 event and took any means necessary to get to the Empress Ballroom on Sunday December 3.

The event is chance for dance students to perform at one of the most prestigious dance halls in the world - where BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series were filming just weeks before.

Disaster almost struck however when Cumbria police declared a major incident after people were left stranded and without power due to heavy snowfall.

The Met Office issued an Amber warning for the county as at least 15cm of snow fell in parts.

The Westmorland Gazette: A family in Seldside digging and gritting the road so the dancers could make it to the bus on timeDue to set off at 11:30am on Sunday morning, principal Lucy Everett began to get phone calls from as early as 8am from frantic parents trying to battle the snow.

"Oh it was crazy," Lucy said. "Parents and dancers were having to dig their vehicles out of snow. A family from Selside had to dig and grit the road to get the dancers out so they could make the bus in time.

"In Witherslack, one dad was out early with a chainsaw to remove a fallen free and clear the road to ensure his girls were able to dance. 

"One dancer, Lola, her little Fiat 500 was completely snowed in.

"Some even arrived via tractor to make to the bus which was waiting at Kendal Leisure Centre. Some could simply only make it by walking the distance through the snow to the bus instead.

"One young dancer was stranded at work in Langdale the night before and had to make it home to Ambleside. She had to sleep in her clothes and get a bus, train, walk and then relied on the kindness of strangers to get her home so she wouldn't miss performing.

The Westmorland Gazette: The dancers had been looking forward to the performance all yearLuckily, every dancer managed to make it with that last one only having 25 minutes to spare and wasn't able to go through hair and make-up.

Despite the tribulations however, the troupe still put on a seven-minute high energy performance to an audience of 1500 people.

Lucy added: "These young dancers really did show dedication to the sport and the team they love. 

"The dancers had a fantastic time and put on a spectacular performance.

"I'm so proud of each and every one and so I'm so  thankful to the parents who were just as dedicated to help make sure their dancers didn't miss out on this wonderful event.

"A huge thank you to the K.T Bus company who were also very helpful and kind to make sure they got us all there and home safely."