A DANCE teacher has spoken of her pride after her group finished their fifth competition season with almost 80 awards.

Viscaria achieved 78 wins throughout the year from 26 events and they capped it all off when they were named the most successful troupe at the end of season championships in Prestatyn.

The Whitecross Community Centre-based morris dancers picked up awards across the board from the TRU Dance Academy Organisation in various age groups and categories.

Louise McWilliam, who leads Viscaria, said: "I am unbelievably proud of the commitment and hard work the girls have put in over the past few years to progress to this standard.

"We have a fantastic support network of parents, grandparents and relatives."

Viscaria launched in September 2012 with eight young dancers, aged between three and 11, and 10 adult dancers.

After finishing their fifth competition season, they will now be going into 2020 with 52 dancers in five age categories.

Viscaria started as a freestyle dance club but has since become a morris-style troupe

Louise added: "As a lifelong dancer, I set up Viscaria in the hope to inspire others to become involved in the dancing world, to build self-esteem and confidence and to teach dance skills and the many other life skills that come with it.

"I was lucky to be born into a dance orientated family where morris dancing was always a part of our lives and as a teacher of PE and dance I felt I had the skills, experience and passion to set this up.

"As Morris dancing is a hugely team-orientated style, the skills of teamwork, leadership and qualities of respect and support for each other are highly developed throughout."

Dancers have to be focused and committed though with 26 competitions a year.

They also represent Warrington at other events such as Dancing with the Wolves, the annual pitch performance with Warrington Wolves organised by Culture Warrington, and summer carnivals.

Louise said: "They practice with passion and determination, not just for themselves but for their team which is key to success, plus we have lots of fun along the way.

"We are a great team with fantastic support from parents, families and friends who help with fundraising – 152 dancers and supporters combined attended this year’s end of season championships and as you can imagine that was a fantastic motivator for our dancers during the competition."