MORTAL combat dancers kicked into action at Darwen Library Theatre and twirled into a top spot in the national dance league.

Six dancers from the Feniscowles-based Dance Factory performed in the Blackburn Festival of Music and Dance to the jazz beats of Mortal Combat.

And the talented youngsters gained enough points in the under-12s to qualify for the all-England semi-finals next year.

Dance teacher Joy Wareing said: "This is a real achievement and a very prestigious win.

"The routine was so well-liked by the parents when it was first performed for charity in December, we thought it was perfect.

"The dance is a really energetic technical routine that is modern jazz with all the latest moves."

More than 700 entrants competed in the festival from 13 dance schools in seven dance categories from as far afield as London.