THE looks on the youngsters’ faces made it all worthwhile.

All the hard work, all the long nights, all the anguish and pain, vanished for a Huddersfield couple.

It was smiles all round as dozens of young dancers from Bodyrockerz School of Dance in Milnsbridge saw their brand new practice studio unveiled for the first time.

Over the summer holidays, owner Amanda Johnson, from Longwood, and her husband Paul worked long into the night to get the new practice area ready for September.

The couple turned builders to extend their premises in the former Albion Mills.

They set about painting the walls and ceilings, hung 2-metre mirrors on the walls, and had a sprung floor installed.

Amanda, a former primary school teacher, said: “We haven’t had a holiday this year.

“But it was worth it and the students are really excited to see the new studio.

“We’d not allowed them to see it until it was finished.

“We had to knock through one of the walls into what was the upholsterers’ shop next door to make room for it.

“We’ve given the whole place a more professional and modern feel.”

Amanda, 33, invited a graffiti artist to spray paint the walls with the distinctive red Bodyrockerz logo.

The café and lounge area was spruced up with comfy leather sofas.

The school moved to its current location in Albion Mills just a year ago and now has over 200 pupils of all ages, from four up to adults.

Amanda said: “The new studio will allow us greater flexibility to organise the teaching of our lessons and for us to spread out across three studios at our busier times.

“We think that all the hard work over summer has been worth it and we are very privileged to be able to do something like this.”

Brian Thompson, chairman of the International Dance Teachers Association for the North East, came to cut the ribbon and officially open the studio.

The dance school teaches Freestyle, Rock ’n’ Roll and Street Dance.