LORDS and ladies of the dance flocked to Bury at the weekend as the town helped host the first-ever Lancashire International Tango Festival.

The popular event drew visitors from as far away as Italy and Germany as well as avid dancers from all over the UK.

They were able to either take part in a series of workshops at the Castle Armoury last Saturday or Sunday or just to take to the floor to dance the tango.

Taking pride of place at the festival were top international tango couple Fausto Carpino and Stephanie Fesneau, who are based in Spain.

The event was organised by Larisa Bore, of the dance group El Tango de Mi Corazon, which runs classes every Wednesday at Bury's Blackburne Hall.

Swinton's Grand Palais Ballroom was the venue for the opening "milonga" curtain-raiser event last Friday while the same location hosted a grand ball the following day.

Mr Larry Bore, co-organiser of the festival along with his wife, said: "The events in Bury went well and we were really pleased with the number of people attending, not only from all over the country but from abroad too.

"We had about three to four tango workshops each day at the Castle Armoury. As far as the ages of people who attended were concerned, it was right across the board and a real cross section.

"We've run a number of events in Bury before but this was the first time we've actually held the festival. There are already plans afoot for a second edition next year."

For more information about tango classes in Bury: visit eltangodemicorazon.com