ADULTS who always wished they had learned how to dance properly have been given the chance, thanks to a £11,500 cash award.

York Community Dance Project has received £10,500 from the Arts Council and £1,000 from City of York Council to create a spectacular new routine.

The news comes as a new survey revealed York is the seventh most unfit city in the country, with Yorkshire rated one of the worst regions for drinking and smoking.

The dance project group is inviting anyone over 18 with some experience of dancing to join in a choreographed work which will be made into a digital animation.

A professional dancer will teach the routine, which will be recorded on to digital video and combined with cartoon images.

The group will perform live as part of Dance Week next June and the video will be screened at various events during the Sight Sonic Digital Arts Festival 06.

The project, which is based at Oaklands School, allows people from different backgrounds to work together and build confidence, develops skills and improves health and fitness.

Group co-ordinator Sam Lawrence said: "The project has been going for 18 months and is very successful.

"Anyone over 18 with a bit of dance experience can come and learn new techniques and skills.

"It is exciting to receive this award and it allows people to learn about new technologies.

"The digital animation will allow us to bring a bit of magic to our performance and to do things we can't normally do, such as fly.

"The group will be working with a professional dance artist to create the routine."

Natasha Almond, group member, said "We're delighted to receive this award. "This is an exciting time for the group. We are all bursting with ideas and we can't wait to get started on the project."

Meanwhile, a survey by private medical insurers PruHealth found York, Leeds and Bradford among the most unfit cities in Britain.

Sam said she thought a survey in five years time would show different results.

"There weren't always good opportunities to dance in York, which could have contributed to fitness levels, she said.

"But things have greatly improved since then.

"If people think they are unfit then they should find ways to improve their fitness, and dancing is a great, enjoyable way to do it.

Contemporary dance classes and creative workshops will take place from 7pm on Wednesday evenings at Oaklands School, starting on Wednesday.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, October 14, 2005