AMATEUR dancers are already waltzing their way to 'Strictly' glory, as they effortlessly danced their way through the first rehearsal for Strictly Bicester 2018.

A group of local celebrities donned their dancing shoes and set about practising for the annual competition, which raises money for charity.

The first rehearsal took place on Sunday and the group was taken through the basics of the first two ballroom dances they will be learning over the next 10 weeks.

Leading the class were Sue and Bryan Douglas, who organised the event which is loosely based on the successful BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing.

Over the coming weeks the competitors will be paired up with professional ballroom dancers and put to work learning a number of routines before two shows in Bicester.

Mrs Douglas said: "The first rehearsals for Strictly Bicester went fantastically well.

"There were lots of smiley faces and everyone learnt the basic steps for the jive and waltz, and everyone seems eager to learn more."

Each competitor will be raising money along the way for their chosen charities.

Last year the competition raised funds to support Greenfields Care and Support which works as a not-for-profit organisation to care for people with life-limiting illnesses through complementary therapies.

The weekend shows raised £5,000 from ticket sales and money raised from raffles over the weekend was donated to various other charities.

Competitors will be working their socks off over the next few months to learn both the jive and waltz as well as a group routine, which they get to create themselves.

They will then perform with their professional dance partners across two shows performed at the Bicester School.

The shows will be staged on April 21 and April 22 and one couple will be crowned winners after each show.

On the Strictly Bicester Facebook page organisers posted: "Such a great smiley group of contestants, raising money for such worthwhile charities.

"Well done everyone, it is going to be a fab show as always – bring it on."

Tickets for the shows are £15 each and will go on sale in a couple of weeks by calling 07522 997506??

For more details and updates search for Strictly Bicester on Facebook.