A GROUP of talented Indian-style dancers have seen of stiff competition from across Europe to win a prestigious international contest.
Twelve performers from the Sakthi Fine Arts Youth Dance Group won the European Festival of Dance and Performing Arts after wowing a panel of judges - and an audience of more than 800 - with their dazzling routine.
Their achievement was all the more impressive given that many of the dancers, who ranged in age from 18 to 25, were taking part in their first ever competition.
Dance group leader, Anusha Sajeev, said she was proud of the group, who mixed traditional Indian dance techniques with hip-hop style during the event - which was held at Disneyland Paris.
She said: "It was brilliant to win the competition and a great advert for this style of dancing.
"We all had a fantastic time and it was amazing performing in front of so many people.
"We had been practising really hard to perfect our act and it is brilliant that it has all paid off so well.
"Tim Noble who helped choreograph routines for Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue was also there, and he said out group was amazing."
The mum-of-two, of The Crescent, Gants Hill, set up the dance group in 1994 to give more people the chance to try out Indian dance.
She said: "It seems a very long time ago now, but it has all been worthwhile.
"We have performers from all over Redbridge in our group, including schools like Woodford County High and Caterham, so we really represent the whole borough."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here