GLITTER balls and dance shoes are being polished in preparation for this weekend's Bolton Hospice Strictly Learn To Dance.

This year 20 couples will be taking to the dance floor on Saturday for the fourth year of the competition, which raises funds for the hospice.

In preparation, the couples have spent 12 weeks with the help of A Touch of Class dance school in Little Lever learning the social foxtrot, quickstep and one of four specialist dancers, salsa, cha cha, Argentine tango and rock and roll. 

The grand finale hosted by Bolton FM will be kicking off in the Premier Suite at The Whites Hotel.

Bolton FM presenter Phil Ashcroft, who will be hosting the event alongside his co-presenter Andrew Dickson, said: "We are very pleased to be co-hosting this glittering event.

"I have been involved since the inception of Strictly Learn to Dance and has grown to become the premier Bolton charity event of the year.

"An audience of 800 people enjoying the hard work of 20 couples, competing for a glittering prize."

96.5 Bolton FM will also be providing music and video production on the night using the skills and expertise of its dedicated volunteers.

Among this year's contestants are accountant and Zumba teacher Emma Leatherbarrow with her competition partner James Pickervance, a digital marketing apprentice at Bolton-based firm AO.com.

He said: "I didn't know Emma before learning to dance but I can say now I have a friend for life.

"She has put up with my dancing when I was new to the skill which has been a huge rollercoaster ride but together we have come through and formed a wonderful and proactive relationship, so now I want to do her proud as well as all my supporters and fans on the evening."

Lorna Fortuna dragged her husband Luciano away from their busy life running their Luciano restaurants in Middlebrook and Millstone to get involved in the competition.

She said: "Our wonderful customers and family have supported us 110 percent with raising sponsorship. Dancing has been amazing, I don't think we've laughed so much in years - I would recommend it to everyone! Can't wait now to dance in front of our two boys on Saturday!"

Hospice supporter Val Hulme has teamed up with Kevin Walsh, employee at Stress Free Print Horwich, to face the challenge of "staggering through the salsa".

Mr Walsh said: "I got involved with 'Strictly Learn to Dance' because, despite being lucky enough to have never needed the services of such a fantastic organisation, there are so many people in the town who have.

"And stepping out in front of 700 plus people on Saturday and tripping over Val's feet will never even come close to the bravery of those fantastic staff and volunteers at Bolton Hospice."

The couples will be facing a judges panel which includes Strictly Come Dancing and former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote, West End and film choreographer Jack Murphy, owner of Sandham’s Dance School in Farnworth Marie Sandham, championship adjudicator and former competitive dancer David Brackley and Bolton Hospice trustee and former Strictly Learn to Dance competitor Andy Morgan.

Tickets have sold out for the evening event with 750 guests expected to attend on the night.

Maria Passarello, events manager, added: "We are so proud to stage this fantastic, show stopping event.

"Every participant that is taking part, the dance teachers, Bolton FM and the many sponsors and supporters have made this not only an incredible night of entertainment but a massive fundraising success for the hospice."