A GROUP of dancers from a North Yorkshire school have taken a part in an international sword dancing contest.

The Valknut Rapper team, pupils of Allertonshire School, Northallerton, performed seven dances in the International Sword Spectacular, in Whitby recently.

They danced in schools in and around Whitby and met teams from as far away as Boston, Massachusetts.

The final dance was at Whitby Pavilion in front of a large crowd. Despite having to follow one of the best teams in England, they acquitted themselves well and were presented with a certificate by the Mayor of Scarborough.

Next year's festival is expected to be in the US and the team are hoping to be able to go there.