Mayor of St Albans Geoff Harrison hit the dance floor at a dance workout event, organised by a mum of two to raise money for two charities. 

Owner of World Rhythms Dance and Fitness, Helen Kirkby, of Hobart Walk, St Albans, raised £900 for Homestart and the Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

The event featured a range of dance classes for adults and children, from Zumba to Fight Klub to Burlesque. 

More than 150 turned up to the Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre for a dance workout. Not only did the centre offer their venue for free, but instructors also volunteered their time.

Ms Kirby, 48, said: "It was really nice, fun day. The mayor came along and had a go at one of my disco Zumba classes, and we had a lot of support from local businesses, who had donated prizes for the raffle."

Ms Kirby chose Homestart as one of the charities because she has a personal connection.

"About ten years ago," she said, "I found myself in the sad and uncompromising position of being a single parent with a baby and a four-year-old.

"My GP put me in touch with Homestart, a family charity, and they were amazing. They sent out a volunteer, called Caroline, once a week to see me - she would ask, how can she help, and more often than not I asked her if I could sleep, as that can be a rare thing.

"I always vowed that when I was in a position to give back something to do so, I would."

Ms Kirby, who has lived in St Albans for 25 years, said she chose the Grove Hospice as the other charity because they too, offer a valuable support to patients and families, who have a life-limiting illness.

If anyone would still like to donate they can still do so by going to www.justgiving.com/teams/dancefit