CHILDREN and young people are being encouraged to train in hip hop dancing in a campaign supported by a Bournemouth bus company.

Yellow Buses has backed Pavilion Dance South West's Get On Board fund-raising appeal, which will see five students chosen from Bournemouth schools receive training from hip hop dance group, Shake.

Together they will create a dance piece which will be performed in front of a live audience at the venue in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens from 1pm to 2pm on Sunday, May 10.

Jenni Wilkinson, head of marketing at Yellow Buses, said: "As a company we have supported the arts in a variety of ways and we’re pleased to be able to help promote this dance initiative. We also work closely with schools and Get on Board brilliantly combines the two."

Jenni also says that that the appeal creates opportunities for Dorset's businesses to engage with dance in the local community.

The appeal will run alongside the town's annual hip hop festival, B-Town Throwdown, with Pavilion Dance South West now looking for local businesses who will sponsor each young person.

Deryck Newland, artistic director at Pavilion Dance South West, said: "Dance encourages collaboration, teamwork, trust and empathy like nothing else."

He added: "We believe passionately that dance is vital for young people as part of the wider curriculum, which is why it is a creative priority for our organisation."

Jack, one of the five Get On Board dancers, said: "It's a free world where I can express myself. It makes me happy whilst giving enjoyment to others.

"Other reasons I enjoy dance are that it gives me more confidence and makes me more creative and makes me realise I can achieve goals in life."

For more information on the appeal, email Joanne@pdsw.org.uk, go to Pdsw.org.uk/getonboard or contact Pavilion Dance South West on 01202 203637.