BEFORE celebrities made it cool ballroom dancing was all about Fred and Ginger in old black and white films.But now tourism chiefs hope it could be the ostrich feather in their sequinned cap when it comes to pulling in extra visitors to Great Yarmouth.

BEFORE celebrities made it cool ballroom dancing was all about Fred and Ginger in old black and white films.

But now tourism chiefs hope it could be the ostrich feather in their sequinned cap when it comes to pulling in extra visitors to Great Yarmouth.

For the resort will be swaying to the sounds of Strictly in July when it stages its first ever Dance Festival at the seafront Atlantis Arena.

Hosted by veteran dance professional Philip Wylie who has been successfully putting on dance events countrywide for decades it aims to unite all aspects and levels of dancing in an enjoyable format.

Mr Wylie said the three-day programme was about all levels taking part in sessions featuring Modern, Latin and popular sequence dancing - aimed at all abilities and with a time-table that allowed people to pick and choose what they wanted to do.

Rising young dance stars will demonstrate how it should be done supported by Ross Mitchell and his band and singers.

“Dance tourism is a very positive aspect,” he said, adding: “In due course we would like to develop it and add a competitive side. Dancing can be quite addictive and what has happened with Strictly has made it cool to all age groups.”

Similar festivals have long been held in Tourquay and Scarborough where char and cha-cha have gone hand in hand for years. Now Mr Wylie aims to drop his festival like a food parcel into Great Yarmouth's dance desert, attracted by the Arena's large dance floor and the positive attitude of staff there and at the borough council.

Alan Carr, head of tourism at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “We talk to a lot of people, sometimes things come off and sometimes they don't and I am glad to say in this case it has. We started talking to Mr Wylie last year. He is so passionate about what he does, it has been a pleasure to work with him.

“One of the reasons we are keen is because of timing. Often we experience a dip in visitors in July just before the school holidays, identified through our hotels and guest houses so this hit all the buttons for us. The Arena is a great venue and it is perfectly placed for all the hotels.”

A range of weekend, day, and session tickets are available.

For more information call Philip Wylie on 01895 632143, email info@holidayanddance.co.uk or visit www.holidayanddance.co.uk.