HUDDERSFIELD people are being urged to put on their dancing shoes to take part in a national event.

The Big Dance 2012 will be taking place across the UK from May 18 to September 9.

And Kirklees groups, schools, organisations and individuals are being called on to step up to the challenge.

The event is being launched as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympic Festival.

Kirklees Council has been given the task of organising events across Huddersfield and Dewsbury to make sure everyone gets into the rhythm.

Cabinet member Clr Jean Calvert said: “Big Dance is a great opportunity to profile, promote and share how much fun dance is.

“A co-ordinated approach is vital to ensure we make a big impact and involve as many people as possible in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

“A Big Dance week will be held as part of the programme from July 7 to 15 to coincide the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Thousands of dance-inspired events are expected to take place across the UK in all sorts of locations, featuring different dance styles.

The Foundation for Community Dance in partnership is organising the scheme with a network of regional dance organisations known as the Big Dance Hubs.

The Yorkshire Dance Centre in Leeds is the Yorkshire hub.

Kirklees Council wants to try and involve schools and local organisations by developing a co-ordinated approach to produce a calendar of events and activities locally which will also include the national events.

If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved or if you have any events that can be included in the calendar, call Errol Barrows on 01484 234089 or email errol.barrows@kirklees.gov.uk

For further information about Big Dance visit:www.bigdance2012.com