HUNDREDS of young dancers from 30 schools across the region will be showing off their moves at a festival in York.

The Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival (YSDF) will be held on November 18 and 19 at the University of York's Central Hall.

A total of 700 young dancers aged between five and 19 will perform to an audience of around 1,300 people.

Now in its sixth year, YSDF is the largest event of its kind in the UK, according to Colin Jackson, whose company, Creative Learning Partnerships (CLP), organises the annual festival.

YSDF is about supporting, celebrating and developing dance in primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.

Mr Jackson explained: "It has grown enormously since 2012 when only 12 schools were involved.

"It’s because of the dedication and talent of staff in schools that dance lessons and clubs are on offer. They recognise just how important it is to provide rich opportunities that give children the chance to try things out that aren’t always covered in the curriculum. In doing so, they help to develop

confidence, self-esteem as well as enabling children to discover their talents."

Mr Jackson says YSDF is not a competition, and that it shines a light on the commitment of the staff and the creativity and talent of the children that take part.

He added: "We try to raise standards by providing the coordinating teachers in each school with a training session with professional choreographers and we are also working in partnership with York Dance Space this year to provide a free workshop in schools with professional dancers to refine their ideas still further. First and foremost it’s about creating an event that’s enjoyable for all and where the focus is on the energy and enthusiasm of the children."

The event will be attended by the Lord Mayor of York, councillor Barbara Boyce, and civic party.

A theme is set for schools to work to each year, and for 2017 it is ‘Freedom’. Schools work with their pupils up until the festival weekend to interpret this theme in whatever way they wish.

Tickets are available from September 21 via the festival website.

Even more schools can take part in this year's YSDF by sending a short video to CLP showing pupils (and/or staff) in schools dancing to George Michael’s track ‘Freedom’. CLP is using the hashtag #FreetoDance

“It doesn’t have to be the whole track and it doesn’t have to be overly polished but just a short sequence. We’ll combine these short videos into a film and show it at the beginning of the festival," Jinny Truman from CLP said.

If schools are interested they can email the YSDF team at hello@creativelearningpartnerships.org