A CHORLEY teenager is aiming to clog the opposition when East Lancashire hosts the country's first ever champion of champions clog dancing contest this weekend.

Toe-tapping title holders past and present have been invited to take part in the inaugural event - the highlight of the East Lancashire Weekend of Dance at Oswaldtwistle Mills.

And Lauren Hargreaves, aged 17, of Blackburn Road, Higher Wheelton, is confident she can add the elite crown to her club title she won a year ago. "I've been practising very hard in between studying for my A levels and I am confident I can win the crown," said Lauren, a student at Blackburn College.

"A lot of my friends think I'm a bit strange when I tell them I'm a clog dancer but they have learnt to accept it when I say it's a hobby I love doing."

Sue Biggar, treasurer and secretary of the Ossie Cloggers who host the event, added: "As far as we know there has never been a champion of champions contest any where before and we are hoping it will become a national event. We have had a lot of interest from groups from across the North of England and hopefully if it is a success we will be able to attract clubs from across the country for future events."

While the cream of the cloggers event, which takes place on Sunday, will be the climax of the festival, a host of other activities will be going on - including a dance display in Accrington town centre on Saturday and a barn dance at Harvey Street Community Centre in Oswaldtwistle the same night.

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