A DANCE academy teacher from Dumbarton has been hosting weekly online competitions to help keep children active during lockdown.

Believe Dance Academy is running themed competitions and classes through its Facebook page for the pupils to stay motivated and fit.

The online competitions included a photography contest and a “dress up as your future job” theme.

The dance school is owned by the principal teacher Lauren Millar, who told the Reporter: “The kids have done really well and totally shocked me in each competition.

“I have just been wanting to keep the kids busy and keep them going until everything goes back to normal with classes.”

As well as challenging the pupils, she trains a range of age groups and dancing abilities five days a week to make sure they are not missing out on the social contact and training for competitions they would have received prior to lockdown.

Lauren said:”These kids travel all over the country week-in, week-out to attend the competitions and they aren’t getting to do that anymore.

“It is by no means the same as winning a trophy, but they are still winning little things.”

The prizes, which include a specially designed leotard and a personalised dance bag, have been donated by local dance companies in West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh.

Lauren has also started a free Tiny Tots class on a Friday for any child aged between two and six.

Lauren added that she is focusing on the children and encouraging them to stay positive during the pandemic.

She said: “It has been hard for me, but I can’t imagine how tough it has been for the children.

“The feedback I received from the Tiny Tots class has been outstanding which is why I will keep the class because I enjoy doing it as well.”

And in addition, Lauren wanted a give her pupils a treat with a week of different dance workshops with teachers from all around the world.

She said: “I wanted to inspire the girls to explore different styles of dance through schools across the world to help them explore their dance passion.”

And Lauren hopes that lockdown will be eased by September to celebrate the dance academy’s four year anniversary of opening.

She added: “It would be lovely to see the students again and celebrate everything we have achieved together.”