THEY are the cream of the crop, whittled down from more than 500 to take this year's Dance For Life title.

Youngsters from Liphook Academy of Dance are celebrating seizing the crown after a tough final dance-off at Romsey's Plaza Theatre.

The Dance For Life competition, a fundraiser organised by the Red Cross, has seen more than 500 young performers from across Hampshire dance in a bid to win a two-hour session at professional London studios.

The final was a tough battle between youngsters from Braishfield School in Romsey, the Victory-Land Theatre School in Fareham, Kings School Winchester and the Liphook Academy of Dance.

Each group was encouraged to choreograph a routine from any dance genre to help express the diversity of dance and reflect the philosophy of the charity.

Competition heats took place across Hampshire as the Strictly Come Dancing-style competition got under way, and guests at the Saturday night final were treated to a dancing display from top dance company Bollywood Grooves.

Hampshire fundraiser Laura Deacon said: "With support from local dancers, dance schools and teachers this event has been a huge hit."