OSWESTRY School Headmaster calls his first Strictly Shropshire appearance an 'unforgettable experience' after its success in raising £30,000 in aid of a local children's hospice.

The Strictly themed charity event took place at Lion Quays Luxury Hotel and Spa, in Weston Rhyn, on Friday, November 25.

But before that, weeks of practice helped the competitors, like Peter Middleton and his partner Amy Harnett, to get ready for the event.

Headmaster Middleton said: "Strictly Shropshire has been an unforgettable experience.

"Genuinely one of the scariest things I’ve ever done- including performing on the night in front of 400 people at the Lion Quays Hotel- it was well out of my comfort zone as a novice dancer, but I learned a huge amount from taking part."

Twelve beginner dancers were given seven hours of training to perform one dance with their professional partner, which they performed in front of the audience and the judges.

He added: "My dance partner Amy was a huge support and encouragement and worked wonders – alongside choreographer and event organiser Ross Millar from Dance HQ – in teaching me a salsa routine in just seven sessions ahead of the night itself when we performed the iconic dance ‘Time of My Life’ from Dirty Dancing."

Border Counties Advertizer: Peter Middleton and Amy Harnett at the Strictly Dance competitionPeter Middleton and Amy Harnett at the Strictly Dance competition

The charity event, hosted by a local dance school, Dance HQ, was organised in aid of Hope House, Children's Hospice, and it raised over £30,000.

Peter Middleton added: "We were all keen to take part and raise as much as possible to help the Hope House kids and their families.

"They are the real stars of the show."