WINCHESTER shoppers were stopped in their tracks as the city was “flash-mobbed”.

An area in front of the Butter Cross became a stage for a spontaneous dance show performed by council staff to Pharrell Williams’s song Happy.

They mingled with shoppers before bursting into action as part of a drive to get Winchester dancing with its very own dance contest.

Called Step up! Winchester, the competition challenges people to take up dance and become healthier in the process.

Staff trained in their lunch breaks with local street dance company Integr8 in preparation for the stunt.

Tickets will soon be on sale for the grand finale of the competition, which will be held at the Guildhall Winchester on Sunday, May 11.