Croydon has the biggest ballroom dancing scheme in the country for children and it is growing in popularity thanks to shows like Strictly Come Dancing.

Champion amateur ballroom dancer Lorraine Drolet has taught thousands of children in Croydon how to tango.

She also holds classes for adults and says that dancing helps bring the community together.

The champion mum from Coulsdon has been teaching ballroom in Croydon for the past three years and her classes are now part of the school curriculum.

She said: “Ballroom teaches the kids respect and discipline. It shows the boys how to escort a girl on and off the dance floor and also teaches them how to work in a team.

“In the beginning boys are reluctant to dance but they soon get enthused about it.

“Teachers notice a difference too, children who don’t do so well in other school activities tend to excel on the dance floor. It gives them confidence and competitions inspire them to work towards something.”

She teaches at 10 schools a week and also holds after school club classes and classes for adults as well.

On Tuesday afternoons she puts a class of 10-year-olds through their paces at Woodcote Primary school.

Two of her pupils Jacob Adeshiyan, 11 and Elyshia Russell, 12, who started dancing at the school two years ago are now part of an exclusive squad of dancers who take part in national competitions.

In the Best of Britain competition for beginners they reached the semi-final.

This year she hopes to send 50 couples to the competition.

She said: “I was a bit of a rebel when I was a professional dancer and I encourage my students to develop their own personality and styling.

“They go to competitions and compete against kids who spend a fortune on dance lessons and costumes and they hold their own.”