A NIGHT of toe tapping action coupled with a fair spalsh of sequins and pearls has helped raise a massive £38,000 for the Bury Hospice.

The Strictly Best Foot Forward competition, which involved rookie dancing couples from around Bury embarking on a 12 week course learning both steps and movement, which culminated in a glitterball finale held on Saturday at the Longfield Suite, Prestwich.

It was held in front of a group of judges including Slade rock star Noddy Holder, wife Suzan, hospice patron Tracy Mort and two dance experts Alan Newman and Thomas Cliff.

Gordon Burns from ITV hosted the evening assisted by former Manchester Evening News editor Paul Horrocks, also a hospice trustee.

For Deborah Lisle, the organiser of the event it was a dream come true. Deborah's husband John died in Bury Hospice last year.

Deborah said: “The idea is not new as several hospices up and down the country hold similar events, but we put the plans in place in April, followed by a shout out for contestants soon after.

“We initially had lots of ladies come forward but the men needed more encouragement and a little bit of arm twisting.

"By the end of July we launched the event with a get together and those who needed to be paired up found their partners.

“From the first night in September, this project exploded and we knew we had something special."

The event was supported by A Touch of Class dance studio, Little Lever, headed up by Teresa Croasdale and Active Dance, Radcliffe, with Nadine Purslow.

Deborah added: “The end result was a spectacular evening, I am so proud of each of our stars and for the hard work they have put into their fundraising for such a worthy cause."

One of the dancer's, Tom Johnson raised £8,600 in memory of a friend Nicola Groves who also died aged 48, at Bury Hospice.

Tom said: “It's been a simply amazing 13 weeks and a period of my life which I will never forget. None of us were dancers, we were just ordinary folk who decided to give something a go because of events in our lives or connections we had.

"I don't think I have ever been so nervous as the moment I walked out on to the floor for the introduction and first dance.

“The catalyst for my particular extraordinary journey was my best mate Nicola. I hope I did her proud.”

The hospice's retail manager Samantha Duncan, who also volunteered to step out for the charity fundraiser said: "Previously I hadn’t danced a step in my life and to go out and perform in front of 400 people was magical.

"The atmosphere in the room was electric. The camaraderie between all the contestants was lovely - we have made lifelong friendships, a love of dance but what’s more raised an astonishing amount of money for Bury Hospice. I loved every second of this wonderful experience."

Hospice fundraiser Dale Mulgrew added: “The amount raised was staggering. What was truly wonderful was that this was a real team effort.

"Although we have had an outstanding amount raised by Tom, all of our Strictly participants contributed to the overall total and many raised well over the target set at the start of the challenge.

“Couple that with the fact we could have sold the event out twice due to an insatiable demand for tickets for the glitterball finale and the fundraising has been an incredible success.”