IT attracts the world's best dancers and now people in Bolton are being invited to put on their dancing shoes, rehearse their moves and head to Blackpool.

Northern Soul enthusiast Phil Macdougall is putting on his fourth fundraising outdoor dance in the seaside resort to raise money for Children with Cancer Charity.

Mr Macdougall, who lives in Heaton, held his first Northern Soul Dancing on the Carpet Weekender charity dance in 2015 after losing members of his family to cancer.

He said: "The event has grown massively since the first dance and over the three years we have raised thousands of the pounds for charity.

"In previous years I have raised money for Cancer Research UK but this year the money is going to Children with Cancer Charity.

"When I did my first dance I never expected it would grow as big as this. It is very popular."

Self-confessed fan of Northern Soul music Mr Macdougall said that £20,000 had been raised from the event over the years — and this year he was hoping to raise in the region of £7,000, the biggest yet.

Every year, the fundraiser attracts more than 1,000 people of all ages — many of who are from Bolton.

Mr Macdougall, who has three children and three grandchildren, said: "This year we have had sponsorship so we will be able to raise even more money for charity. There will be live music and DJs at the event.

"We have events taking place up and down the country to support the fundraising — in the three years the event has gone national."

Dancing takes place on the Comedy Carpet and those taking part can pull Northern Soul moves — or whatever dance moves they prefer.

Northern Soul Dancing on the Carpet Weekender will take place on Sunday, May 27, and those taking part are asked to make a donation.

It will run from 1pm until 5.30pm and people and there will also be dance competition.

To find out more visit https://m.facebook.com/Dancingforchildrenwithcancer/?ref=m_notif&notif_t=feed_comment