It's a 10 all the way - Strictly-style ballroom opens in Shrewsbury

Topaz Dance School unveiled its Blackpool ballroom style studio in Shrewsbury complete with 3,200 sq ft dance floor.

It was a double celebration for owners Joanne and Paul Hague who marked their 20th wedding anniversary with the launch of their new school.

Children made wishes as they released 300 helium balloons outside the new premises on Maverick Business Park in Monkmoor Road.

Mrs Hague said: "I thought it would be a memorable thing to do because 30 years ago I wished on a balloon that I would have my own dance school and here I am now. It was beautiful. All the kids ran into the ballroom and grabbed a tail and we had a 10 second countdown before they made a wish and released them."

The couple from Radbrook Green, who have been teaching for 20 years, are no stranger to the limelight. They appeared on the original Come Dancing show in 1993, danced on the mid-week Lottery Show and whizzed around the dance floor along with their pupils, on the Forsyte Saga. They also danced at sea with P &O cruises, teaching and performing while travelling around the world.

Mrs Hague, 45, said: "We have been teaching in Shrewsbury for nine years but have always hired venues and have always wanted a place of our own.

"We have worked so hard on it that we haven't celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary yet. We've done all the decorating ourselves so Paul has been doing all the walls and floor while I've been doing the drapes."

Mayor of Shrewsbury Beverley Baker gave the dance school a 10 when she cut the ribbon at the opening night on Saturday

A live band played as girls danced the Charleston and Shrewsbury Town Football Club's cheerleaders, who Mrs Hague teaches, showcased their moves.

The school runs children's dance classes which include hip hop, cheer, strictly ballroom and latin.

And adult ballroom and Latin American dance classes include waltz, quickstep, cha-cha, rock'n'roll, samba, jive and foxtrot.

Mr and Mrs Hague hope to expand their school to the performing arts and are looking for a drama teacher to join them. For more information call

01743 272672 or visit www.topazagemofadanceschool.co.uk