A COUPLE who raised hundreds of pounds for charity are hanging up their dancing shoes.

Barrie and Pat Elener have decided to finish their monthly dances at the end of the year due to dwindling numbers.

The pair are now holding two last "reunion" dances and encouraging anyone who has danced with them over the years to come along.

Barrie said: "We have made the decision, sadly, to finish our monthly dances. The turn-out was so poor for our last dance that we know we have come to the end of our regular events.

"Thank you to everyone who has 'Come Dancing' with us, over the past 10 or so years. We have had some good times, and when we have had a lot of dancers on the floor, it has made all the work well worthwhile.

"We started our dances to give dancers a local dance to come to and for those in the Forum Dance classes to have somewhere to practice their steps, in a proper dance situation.

"We never set them up to make money and over the years have given our profits to local or national charities, such as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Marie Curie Cancer care.

"Recently we have given to the Ryedale Community Bowls and Leisure Centre in Norton, as we have been involved from the outset, with saving the Centre."

Barrie said they would be holding a Halloween dance on Friday, and a cabaret and Christmas dance on Friday, December 9.

She said: "We hope to have even more dancing friends from the past few years to 'Come Dancing' with us.

"Again, in a sort of 'Reunion' of dancers from the many dance classes in Norton and even from the dances we held at the Milton Rooms, from about nine or ten years ago.had a lot of dancers on the floor, it has made all the work well worthwhile. "A lot of dancers who have danced with us, over the years, so we do hope they can make if even if they don't dance any more."

To book, phone Barrie on 01653 694431.