AFTER months of rehearsals hundreds of youngsters from across Hampshire danced the night away in the third Rock Challenge heat.

Family and friends packed the O2 Guildhall Southampton last night to watch as school and college children went head to head in the latest round of the dance competition.

Henry Cort Community College were awarded first place in the 2016 Be Your Best Southampton Rock Challenge® Day Three with their performance called ‘Twist of Fate’.

They were top of the class of seven schools from Hampshire who competed in last night’s heat.

Large set pieces guided the audience through this story of power and powerlessness in 1940’s Poland.

Their victory qualifies them through to the Southern Open Final B at Portsmouth Guildhall in June where they will get the chance to be named Rock Challenge champions.

In second place were Richard Taunton Sixth Form College who performed ‘Illness of the Mind’.

Performers from the college took to the stage with an incredibly intricate set featuring huge teepees and giant hoops which characters elegantly glided through as they were elevated from the stage which was never empty of glorious characters and fabulously elaborate costumes.

Crookhorn College in Portsmouth took third place with Regents Park Community College claiming fourth. Schools also won awards in a variety of categories.

Among those were Richard Taunton Sixth Form College taking home the Pauline Quirke Academy Award of Spirit of Rock Challenge and Regents Park Community College won the ACRO Criminal Records Office Award for Performers’ Choice.

The Rock Challenge, an international initiative run by the Be Your Best Foundation, was brought from Australia to the UK by Hampshire police in 1996 to encourage young people away from alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Now in its 20th year, the popular event reaches out to more than 20,000 young people across the UK aged seven to 18.

Patron of the Be Your Best Foundation Baroness Ruth Henig said: “It is always very rewarding to see young people across the country continuing to embrace the initiative, flourishing in a 100% drug, tobacco and alcohol free environment and producing spectacular performances on stage.

“The entertainment provided tonight has been innovative and extremely exciting- a true testament to the months of hard work and commitment put in by all the schools, teachers and communities.”

The Daily Echo is producing a souvenir edition each day – from tonight until Saturday – featuring the colleges and schools taking part in each show.

Copies are available at the O2 Guildhall Southampton each night or by ringing 023 8042 4777 and asking for the newspaper sales department.

Rock Performances:

Rock Rehearsals: