A DANCE teacher who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes through her stage shows is to put on her final performance this weekend.

Doreen France and friends have been organising shows for decades.

But the curtain will come down for the last time on Doreen’s shows at the Lawrence Batley Theatre on Saturday.

Entitled Francie’s Final Fling, Doreen is staging three shows in aid of two charities: the Small Steps support group for the Ellerslie Child Development Centre at the Princess Royal Community Centre, and the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice at Brackenhall.

Doreen said: “This will be the last one. There comes a time when you have to make that decision. I have a great team together now so let’s end on a high.

“I will be so sad to see it go – we’re like a big family really.”

Doreen has been organising shows for about 20 years and has no idea how much money she has raised for charity.

In more recent years she has donated proceeds to Small Steps and has been informed by the charity that she has raised a sizeable £14,000.

The shows – one on Friday night, and a matinee and evening performance on Saturday – have been choreographed and directed by Doreen. They will be hosted by Peter Armitage and Mike Hellawell.

Those taking part in the show include the all-male pantomime cast of the Marsden-based Avalanche Dodgers, who will be performing some of their best bits from recent pantos. Their last one was Up Spartacus.

Others include singer Norman Mellor, a friend of Doreen’s from Huddersfield Light Opera Company and Christina Jagger, who started to dance with Doreen when she was just four and has performed with many operatic societies in the area.

Renowned singers Richard Cook and Diane Robinson have appeared together in many local musicals and are both winners at the Mrs Sunderland Competition in Huddersfield.

The Doreen France Theatre Group will be doing a Fred Astaire tribute.

Doreen received an MBE in 2002 for her charity work.

Tickets, costing £9, are available from the LBT box office on 01484 430528.