Around 150 children “danced their little socks off” to produce a “spellbinding” show for 500 spectators.

An audience of proud parents and teachers looked on in awe as the pupils of Otley and Witnesham primary schools collaborated for the Dance Spectacular at Trinity Park.

Class teacher Laura Baker said children were “fantastic” throughout the hour-long show with many developing a newfound love for dance.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” she said. “The children worked their little socks off. Some of them were only four-years-old so for them to learn a whole routine, remember it all and then get on stage to perform in front of 500 people and not be fazed by it was really amazing,”

Pupils performed a variety of routines along themes such as “carnival” or “dinosaur” alongside others inspired by films including Men in Black and the pop song It’s All So Quiet by Bjork.

Ms Baker said the show had been a massive hit with the parents, many of whom had left comments with the school, expressing their delight.

“I loved it – it was so great to see the children enjoy themselves – we want more dance and more tissues at the ready,” wrote one proud parent.

“I loved every minute,” wrote another. “It was spellbinding”. The show was developed using funding through the School Sports Premium after the schools, which are preparing to join up under a federation, mutually agreed that their approach to dance teaching could benefit from expert improvement.

Jo Darby, a professional dance instructor, was employed using the funding to prepare the pupils for the show, while the teachers observed to guide their future approach to lessons.

Ms Baker said the process had proved so popular with the pupils that many of them had been inspired to join local dance clubs to continue developing their new skills.

“After all the work they had done, it really made us proud to be their teacher,” she said.