A DANCE school in Little Lever is pulling out all the stops out to keep its members smiling - despite the cancellation of in-person teaching.

Forza Dance Studios has come up with creative new ways to keep people motivated and interested in dancing during lockdown.

The school has ran a Zoom timetable, with themed weeks like 80s and Harry Potter, and have had guest artists from West End shows Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Billionaire Boy.

From delivering sweet cones, to rainbow medals and certificates, the team at Forza have ensured each child has had 'a reason to smile and be proud of themselves during lockdown'.

The studio's owner and principal Nikki Masterman, 25, from Breightmet, said: "Our families are at the heart of what we do.

"Throughout the Covid crisis, our top priority has been to ensure our students know we are always thinking of them - and that the studio will always be their home."

The school teaches ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap to people of all ages.

In addition to usual dance classes, Forza have also ran virtual social events, including quiz nights, for some well needed family fun.

In the very first lockdown back in 2020, the dance school moved into premises on Market Street, Little Lever.

The building needed a lot of renovations to transform it in to a purpose built dance studio ready for the return of their students, with the bulk of work being done by Nikki and her family.

The school has been inundated with support from local businesses, including artist Lita Narayan who gifted a painting of a ballerina, and Handrail Creations who donated ballet barres.

Like many small businesses, Forza Dance Studios have faced financial hardship during the last year but thanks to an understanding landlord and support from families, the school has pulled through and are looking forward to making up for lost time in 2021.

Nikki also teamed up with Bolton Council to provide a weeklong dance school for children of key workers during the February half-term.

She said: "The ethos of Forza Dance Studios is hard work and team work and we cannot wait to get our students back in the studio achieving their dreams.

"I have lots of big plans and can't wait to be reunited with the dance family safely soon.

"The school has been very lucky moving in to a community like Little Lever."