A LONG-established dancing school has brought the curtain down on its town centre base -- after losing nearly half of its pupils in a year.

Teresa Crosedale and Alex Cooper, who run A Touch of Class, say they were losing cash because of high overheads and parents being put off by frequent parking tickets while they waited for their children.

The school claims pupil numbers fell from around 200 to less than half that figure in just over 12 months.

It has led them give up the Mawdsley Street school after more than 10 years and relocate to High Street, Little Lever.

Dance teacher Teresa said: "It is very sad for us because we had been there for such a long time but it was a necessity. We couldn't carry on unless we left Bolton.

"Our membership numbers dropped rapidly. Parents were dropping their children off and going shopping, then coming back a few minutes late to a parking ticket. I think many are leaving Bolton for places like the Trafford Centre where you can park for free.

"The rents and rates are very high in Bolton and between us we will save about £2,000 a year on parking alone because it is also free to park in Little Lever."

The new school teaches styles including ballroom, disco, and line dancing.