FROM Greek Gods to the animals of Noah’s ark – youngsters took to the stage for the ultimate dance competition.

School and college students last night battled it out to be named lords of the dance as they went head to head in the latest Rock Challenge heat.

Talented youngsters from Richard Taunton Sixth Form College put on an eerie adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film The Birds, while Upper Shirley High School pupils explored man’s relationship with Zeus.

Students from Chamberlayne College for the Arts travelled through time in their performance Time-napped, while Brune Park Community School took the audience back to the time of Noah and his ark in The Flood and Testwood Sports College explored fairytales.

They were also up against Basingstoke’s Aldworth School, Newbury’s Trinity School and Welsh Crickhowell High School.

The youngsters had spent months tirelessly rehearsing and creating props and costumes ready to showcase them in front of hundreds of mums, dads, grandparents and siblings at the O2 Guildhall Southampton.

It is the ninth year since UK Rock Challenge was set up by Hampshire Constabulary with the aim of encouraging children to be creative and lead healthy lifestyles without tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

Tonight will see even more youngsters take to the stage, including pupils from Redbridge Community School, Regents Park Community College, Woodlands Community College, Swanmore College, Peter Symonds College and The Henry Cort Community College.

The Winners on Night One:

1st Place: Chamberlayne College for the Arts

2nd Place: Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

3rd Place: Testwood Sports College

4th Place: Trinity School

Hampshire Constabulary Award of Excellence for Choreography:

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Award of Excellence for Performance Skill

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

HC3S Award of Excellence for Stage Use

Chamberlayne College for the Arts

Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team Award of Excellence for Concept

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Aldworth School, Chamberlayne College for the Arts

Hampshire Healthy Schools Award of Excellence for Drama

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Chamberlayne College for the Arts

ACRO Criminal Records Office  Award of Excellence for Soundtrack

Brune Park Community School, Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Chamberlayne College for the Arts

Southampton City Council Award of Excellence for Set Design and Function

Trinity School, Chamberlayne College for the Arts,

Southampton City Council Award of Excellence for Costuming Character

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Testwood Sports College, Chamberlayne College for the Arts, Upper Shirley High

Hampshire County Council Award of Excellence for Visual Enhancement

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

Hampshire County Council Award of Excellence for Entertainment

Trinity School, Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Aldworth School, Chamberlayne College for the Arts

Tega (Events) Award of Excellence for Lighting

Brune Park Community School

Be Your Best Foundation Award of Excellence for Stage Crew

Testwood Sports College

Visions Unlimited Award of Excellence for Video Performance

Crickhowell High School

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Award for Spirit of Rock Challenge®

Aldworth School

ACRO Criminal Records Office  Award for Performers’ Choice

Upper Shirley High

Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team Award for Achievement in Drug Awareness

Trinity School

Be Your Best Foundation Award for Student Leadership

Aldworth School

Rock Challenge® Award for School Community Support

Chamberlayne College for the Arts

Be Your Best Foundation Award for Healthy Lifestyle

Testwood Sports College

Rock Challenge® Award for Cultural and Educational Achievement

Crickhowell High School

Be Your Best Foundation Award for Positive Inclusion

Brune Park Community School