The Phoenix performing arts group's nine hour fund raising dance-a-thon in full swing in the Parish Centre, Castle Road, Whitstable on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey

Young and old danced around the clock on Saturday to raise funds for a performing arts school’s new home.

Members of Phoenix Performing Arts strutted their stuff at the Parish Social Centre in Castle Road, Whitstable, during a nine-hour dance-a-thon. Friends association chairman Tony Petts was in charge of the jukebox, with the hits of Michael Jackson proving the most popular tunes of the day.

The group, who are looking to build a new centre and common room in the Canterbury area, have been left homeless since Whitstable Castle closed for refurbishments last year.

Tony Petts is confident events like the dance-a-thon will help them reach their fundraising target.

He said: “£60,000 will get us the basics to get into a new studio, but to get all the equipment we need to fit it all out, we looking at raising more than £70,000. Planning permission is already going through on one site at the moment, but we can’t look too far forward until that’s all settled.”

Sophie Guariglia, principal of the school, believes a new home will help develop their talented members.

She said: “We’re hoping to have two studios, with singing rooms, costume and props stores and also a common room. When people aren’t coming in for dance and performance classes, we want to create a youth club and it will also mean we won’t need to hire venues for events like we do now.”

180 students are currently members of Phoenix, with some going on to study at high performance schools such as Italia Conti, the Urdang Academy and the Royal Ballet School.

For more information about PPA, contact Sophie on 07968 367397 or emailphoenixperformingarts@hotmail.co.uk