After being denied a chance to show off their silky skills on the UK competitive dance floors, some of the island’s best young ballroom dancers will perform closer to home instead.

This weekend sees the Isle of Man Dance Teachers Association Ballroom Dancing Competition at the Vila Marina, on Sunday, October 11, starting at 11.30am.

It is the first ballroom dancing competition to be held in the island since the lifting of social distancing restrictions earlier in the year and also the first dance competition to held anywhere in the British Isles since the lockdown began in March.

It will see hundreds of young ballroom dancers swirl and twirl in front of the judges throughout the day.

The event will also give the island’s finest dancers the chance to shine, after their plans for competing in the UK were thwarted earlier this year.

Two teams of dancers , a juvenile team aged under 12 years old and a junior team of under 16s, were set to travel during Easter to compete at the Blackpool International Dance Festival and appear on the dance floor of the prestigious Winter Gardens ballroom earlier this year, until the competition fell victim to the restrictions.

Instead they will perform their well-rehearsed routines on the floor of the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall on Sunday.

’We just thought the teams deserved to have a chance to show their skills and abilities on the floor, after the festival was cancelled,’ said Michelle Watson, the chairman of the Isle of Man Dance Teacher’s Association.

’They put so much effort into preparing for Blackpool and I’m sure they were all disappointed not to be able to take part.

’The festival is a huge event and is essentially the highlight of their season.

’They go away as a team, but also take part in individual couples competitions throughout the week.

’Its a lot of work but it is very exciting to be part of it and also very exciting to go away and represent the island on a national level.

’It is a chance for us all to acknowledge the work they had already put in.’

l Tickets for the competition are £10, available from the and Villa Gaiety box office, on 600555 and online from villagaiety.com