NINE couples helped raise more than £3,200 when they put on their dancing shoes for charity.

Bridges Come Dancing 2017 took place earlier this month, and the total amount raised for the Monmouth charity through the event has now been totalled at £3,289.20.

The nine couples, all of whom were staff or volunteers at Bridges Centre, were in training under the watchful eye of dance teacher Ann Brankley who generously gave her free time to coach the couples.

On the night everyone danced wonderfully, but there could only be one winner. The vote was thrown open to the audience and it was their turn to be generous, at 50p a vote, while volunteers worked hard in the kitchen and bar providing refreshments. At the end of the evening, Glen Saunders and Dorothy Laidler were declared the champions for an energetic samba that had the whole crowd shimmying along.

Also thoroughly enjoyed were the impromptu dance performances which many of the children in the audience gave before the start and during the interval.

Mark Walton, Bridges Centre director, commented: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to support the evening, as well as to all those who worked so tirelessly to make it a success.

“Apart from being a fabulous evening, the event has already raised £3,289 of much needed funds to help us continue to provide services and support to the whole community of Monmouth.”

Ann Brankley teaches her regular class at Bridges on Thursdays from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.