A MARKET town is experiencing an explosion in Latin spirit with Salsa classes becoming increasingly popular.

Laucinda Holland and Gareth Roberts set up Salsa dance school Encuentro Latino in Northallerton at the start of 2003, and since then it has gone from strength to strength.

More than 20 people regularly attend both beginners and intermediate classes there on a Thursday night, with even more turning up to their regular classes in York.

Laucinda, who has been teaching, performing and choreographing dance for 14 years, said: "The beautiful thing about Salsa is that it is multi-cultural, and for all ages. We have people coming to the classes who are 16 and people who are in their seventies so it is for absolutely everyone.

"It is a very fun way to keep fit and it a great social dance - very lively and uplifting.

"We have even got a number of people who have met their partners through Salsa classes."