INTREPID men are sought to take on the tango or size-up the samba for Bolton’s biggest dance-off.

Whether he is as lightfooted learner or wants to challenge his two-left-feet, Bolton Hospice is on the look out for men to join take part in Strictly Learn to Dance.

Earlier this year the annual competition saw 20 couples hit the dance floor at the Premier Suite of the Bolton Whites Hotel to help raise funds for the charity.

This time round seven men are needed to grab the glitterball and commit to 12 weeks of training with professional dance tutors from A Touch of Class Dance School, starting in January 2017.

No experience is necessary and former contestants have stepped up with some words of encouragement.

Bolton News chief reporter Liam Thorp is a former winner of the hospice’s Strictly Learn to Dance contest and is encouraging local men to get involved.

The 28-year-old said: “I can totally understand why some blokes might be a little reluctant to dance in front of an audience, because I was too.

“My boss ‘nudged’ me into it and I can honestly say it was a brilliant experience from start to finish.

“The dance teachers were fantastic and along with my partner they managed to turn my two left feet into something which half resembled a decent mover.

“Of course it was a bit daunting at first, but everyone is in it together and you know it is all for a good cause.

“The night itself was a blast and my family and friends still talk about how brilliant it was several years later and my trophy is still on my desk at work.”

Peter Hindle, aged 61, took part last year.

He added: “Learning to dance was the best thing I’ve ever done, the people you meet will be new friends, the training is fantastic fun.

“On the night it was an event that will stay with me the rest of my life knowing that the effort by all was to raise funds for our fantastic hospice.”

In the past, the event has raised more than £35,000 for the hospice.

This April the couples performed in front of a 750 people to battle it out for an array of glittering trophies with their dances marked by a panel of judges which included professionals from the world of dance, Bolton Hospice trustee Andy Morgan, West End and film choreographer Jack Murphy and Strictly Come Dancing star Georgia May Foote.

The call comes as BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing continues to attract record numbers of viewers.

This weekend’s show saw former shadow chancellor Ed Balls’s pelvic thrusting and pony dancing on Strictly Come Dancing secure him a ticket to next week’s live show in Blackpool as model Daisy Lowe became the eighth contestant to leave the show.

The ex-Labour MP stunned the judges with his salsa to Gangnam Style by Psy.