Why is Blackpool a popular destination for ballroom dancers?

Blackpool is widely regarded as the ballroom dance capital of the world thanks in part to its famous venues.

The opening of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and Empress Ballroom at Winter Gardens in the 1890s have drawn crowds of dancers for more than a century.

"We've had millions of people through here dancing," said Kate Shane, the director of Blackpool Tourism.

"We have our wonderful ballroom regulars, people that come here for recreational dancing, and we also have dance competitions here too."

Dating back to 1894, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom is world-famous for its unique sprung dance floor and ornate architecture.

It remains to this day a popular destination for dance fans from across the globe.

Strictly Come Dancing also films one of its shows at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom each year in November.

For many celebrities and professionals, it's a major goal to reach the annual episode filmed in the seaside resort, which usually marks the halfway point in the competition and is a change of scenery from the usual location of Elstree Studios.

Lauren Oakley, who is a professional dancer on the show, grew up watching her family compete in dance competitions in Blackpool.

"It's the most beautifully preserved ballroom that we have, I'm going to go as far as saying in the world," she said.

"You can feel the history.

"You can feel the feet that danced on the floor before you've even danced there.

"It just holds this prestige."

The historic dancing venues are important for tourism in the town, according to Shane, who said people drive from "all over the country" to make "amazing memories around the dance floor".

"All of our iconic venues are hugely important to the heritage of Blackpool, to the civic pride for people that live locally and also from an economic impact as well," she said.

The Blackpool Dance Festival, which is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious ballroom dancing competition, started in 1920.

It is also the world's longest running dance competition for Latin and Ballroom categories.

The event, which is held in May at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, celebrated its 100th competition this year.

Students from Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre are used to performing on stages in the town and further afield.

Principal Lorraine Hill started classes with dance school founder Barbara Jackson when she was two years old and took over the dance school in 1985.

"The children that I taught over the years are now bringing their children and some grandchildren," she said.

"All the teachers that teach for me are brought up through Barbara Jackson's."

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