AN Egyptian woman has launched a new class which includes belly-dancing lessons.

Soty Adly has started weekly classes in Darlington and Barnard Castle.

The 44-year-old, who learned to belly-dance when she was a child, moved to Darlington last year from Shrewsbury, in Shropshire.

Mrs Adly's classes also include lessons on Egyptian language and culture and Arabic. About 30 people have so far attended the classes.

They take place at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, every Sunday between 6pm and 7pm, and at Startforth Morritt Memorial Church of England Primary, near Barnard Castle, on Fridays, between 7pm and 8pm.

For more information about the classes, contact Mrs Adly on 07891-627917.