TONIGHT 20 couples lit up the dance floor for a spectacular night of ballroom blitz all in aid of charity.

Bolton Hospice Strictly Learn to Dance has been going by the year, and tonight it proved bigger than ever as more than 700 people packed into the Premier Suite at The Whites Hotel to watch the brave competitors battle it out in the ballroom.

Hosted and organised by Bolton FM, dancers strutted their stuff in the social foxtrot, quickstep and one of four specialist dancers, salsa, cha cha, Argentine tango and rock and roll – cheered on by hundreds of supporters.

Presiding over the evening from the sparkling setting of the top table were a panel of judges which included Strictly Come Dancing and former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote and West End and film choreographer Jack Murphy.

Couples twirled and tangoed their way across the floor in hope of winning a top mark of 10, while audiences were quick to ‘boo’ any judge who dared score lower than a 7.

But it was the seductive steps of the Argentine Tango which finally won 29-year-old Bolton lad Lee Hallworth and 41-year-old Little Lever flight attendant Lorraine Crompton the champion’s trophy.

Speaking afterwards Lorraine said: “It’s absolutely amazing, I can’t believe we’ve won.

“It’s been so worthwhile taking part and we’ve both really enjoyed it.”

The event raises funds for the hospice, and it is hoped this year organisers will top the 2015 total of £35,000.