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Dress dispute leaves dancers without new kit
A group of dancers are one step away from success – but they desperately need new outfits.
Members of the newly-formed Faith morris dancing troupe have been left kicking their heels after a dispute left them without the dresses and shoes towards which their parents had paid.
Now, the girls are practicing at the Tanterton Community Centre in Village Green Lane, Preston, in 25-year-old donated outfits and hope someone will come forward to help them smarten up their act.
Group treasurer Kerry Strangeway said: "The girls are doing so well now. The six to 12-year-olds will be ready to dance out in competitions by March – that's how well they're doing. But, at the moment, we've no dresses or anything.
"We've been donated some 25-year-old dresses and the little girls just love dressing up in them, but they're not good enough to compete in.
"The majority of mums are on benefits and there's not much for girls that age round here – the boys have got the football."
The problems began when parents paid 10 to 14 each towards outfits, but the dresses didn't arrive and the money has not been returned.
The 22 girls, aged three to 12, are coached by a teacher from Blackpool who donates her services free of charge and the group hopes to add an over-12s section next year.
Plans are in hand for a family bingo night and an indoor car boot sale in the next few weeks to raise more cash, in addition to a sponsored walk between Preston and Blackpool which has already helped boost the group's funds.
Kerry, whose seven-year-old daughter Eleanor is a member of the dance group, said she had contacted the police about the dispute.
She said: "We don't want to press charges – we just want the money back."
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said the matter had been reported in October, but it appeared to be a civil dispute over money paid for goods which were not received.
Talks are on-going in an effort to resolve the matter.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
