DANCERS from throughout the North converged on Colne for Week One of the Luther Greenwood Memorial Dance Festival.

And stepping in for the first time as festival secretary was Penelope Hall, who is keeping up a long family connection with the ever popular event.

Penelope has taken over the reins from long-serving Janet Mitton -- nearly a quarter of a century after she first sprung on to the Municipal Hall stage as a competitor as a four-year-old tot.

The ex-professional dancer is delighted to be extending the family tradition with the festival.

Her mum, Susan Thorp, head of the Susan Chippendale School of Dancing, has been festival chairman for eight years and grandmother Elsie Chippendale was secretary for 20 years and still helps out at the event.

"There has been a very long connection and I am very happy to be extending it," says former beauty therapist Penelope, who has linked with husband Trevor to take over Barrowford Catering business in Gisburn Road this week.

More than 100 dancers are taking part in the festival which has its final day at the Muni next Saturday.

Penelope says she is delighted with the response, but would like to see more spectators calling in to witness the high standards of dance on display.

Local winners this weekend included Rheannon Davies, six, of Laneshawbridge, who took first in the Baby Song and Dance and Dayna Edington, six, of Higham, who was second in the Baby National class.