A 19-year-old who lost her father to cancer took centre stage at a fundraising event for the hospice which cared for him.

Danielle Oddie, of Beardwood, Blackburn sang Bette Midler's "The Rose" at last night's Danzwise fundraiser for East Lancashire Hospice at King George's Hall, Blackbuurn.

The trainee accountant said she was pleased to help the hospice as its staff cared for her father, Graham.

Danielle was just five years old when her father was diagnosed with skin cancer. He died in July 1997.

She joined her friends from Blackburn's Dance Factory for the show.

Danielle said: "It is to thank the hospice for what they did for my dad.

"I was shaking before I went on but felt very touched when I began to sing.

"It has been fantastic. The atmosphere backstage was really good and thankfully everything went smoothly."

She was among around 70 dancers who trod the boards for the Park Lee Road, Blackburn hospice, which relies on donations for most of its income.

Now in its seventh year the show got off to an electrifying start with Danielle and colleagues dancing to Prince's "Kiss" and Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man".

Other girls also took centre stage for solo renditions of pop hits including Louise Wood, 15, who sang Pink's "Misery".

The eldest girls then returned for "Hey Big Spender!" and "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend".

And the younger members of the Dance Factory, based in York Terrace, Feniscowles, also had their moment in the spotlight.

These included the five to seven-year-old girls in full ballet dress then later disco gear and boys singing "When I'm Cleaning Windows" and songs from "Oliver!"

The show will take place again tonight at 7.30pm. For tickets call 01254 582582.