A dance group from the island has had a successful time away as it brought home 61 trophies from a Cheerdance competition in Blackpool.

Held in the world famous Tower Ballroom, Unity Dance School had 85 competitors with the youngest being just three-years-old.

The group was competing with teams from across the UK in both single and group dances.

In total, the group collected 61 trophies which included four firsts, 18 second places, seven third places, eight forth places, seven fifths, nine sixths, seven sevenths and one eight place finish.

The group’s ’Tinies Squad’ also placed second in their Greatest Showman dance.

And the group secured 20 semi final positions to add to a very successful competition.

Linzi Brown, who runs the group said: ’There are dancers from all over the country that attend and the Tower Ballorrom had around 3,000 watching and taking part, including other dance schools from the island.

’Unity is the biggest school to travel away form the island and we are always looking for new Cheerleaders to join us.

’The Unity dancers did amazingly and we brought home to the island 61 amazing trophies.’

Cheerdance takes its origins from American cheerleading. Competitors either soloists or in groups compete with pompoms and perform routines set out by coaches.

During the solo dances, up to 60 individuals start and continue to be recalled to dance until the final eight have been decided.