DANCERS can experience the grandeur and glamour of the dance halls of a bygone era – thanks to a couple from Bolton.

Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two couple Philip and Kathryn Hurst from Westhoughton have transformed an early 1900s cinema into a ballroom. The pair now use the building to teach people to dance.

Mr Hurst said: "Two years ago we took over the former Palace Cinema in Hindley which was in a drastic state of disrepair.

"We put our heart and soul and a lot of time and money into turning it into a beautiful ballroom that now serves the community."

He added: "We had been looking for premises for some time, but the only premises around were industrial units that just didn’t feel inspiring. We found it purely by accident and immediately fell in love with the building.

"The Palace has a gorgeous feel to it, has all the original features and is a warm and welcoming.

"This year the building celebrates its centenary, it is amazing that it has a new lease of life."

The couple, who have three children — Ysobella, aged seven, Matylda aged six and Beatryx, aged two — met at dance school.

Mr Hurst said: "It has been really hard work getting the building back to its former glory, much harder than we anticipated, but well worth it.

"The community love it and we have over 700 people attending weekly."

The 37-year-old dancer said that more people were enjoying dancing thanks to programmes such as Strictly and the recent programme about Bolton Palais.

He said: "Although dancing has always been popular, it is seeing a slight and slow decline in youngsters coming through due to the modern day traits of iPads and phones taking kids away from hobbies.

"People are still actively seeking somewhere to go and socialise and dance the night away.

"It is so so important to keep these old buildings as they simply don’t build them this way anymore and once they’re gone, they’re gone."

Located in Hindley, to the east of Wigan, Lancashire, at the corner of Market Street & Pennington Street, The Palace Cinema was opened around 1918. It was closed in 1960 and, in 2009, it was used by the Wigan and Ashton Gymnastics Club.

As well as teaching everyone and anyone — from aged two to 92 — to dance, the couple have appeared on Strictly It Take Two in 2010 and hosted 20 shows with stars of the hit show. The couple appeared in a documentary celebrating Bolton iconic dance hall, Bolton Palais.

"The documentary we did about the Bolton Palais was great.

"Living in Bolton we were really honoured to be asked to teach the people of Bolton in 2015/16 and it really brought the community together,” said Mr Hurst, who added: "We are hosting a day of dance classes with Strictly star Robin Windsor on the October 7 — these classes are open to everyone."