GLORIOUS sunshine marked the launch of a 10-day dance festival in Oxford city centre on Saturday.

Dance groups took to Bonn Square from noon for four hours to entertain shoppers and mark the launch of Dancin’ Oxford.

The annual festival, in its eighth year, is organised by Pegasus Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Oxford City Council and Oxford Castle.

Eight Oxford dance companies took part and a dance mat was available for shoppers to join in the fun.

City hip-hop group Body Politic kicked off with a routine to the music of NeYo, Justin Timberlake and Ace Hood.

The group, which has members from across the country, is based at Pegasus, in Magdalen Road, East Oxford.

Company director Emma-Jane Grieg, 27, said: “The crowd was really good. It is a great community event. The weather was just perfect.

“I am doing a dance workshop on Thursday at Pegasus Theatre which shows hip hop dancing is for anyone to join in with.”

Performances also came from Lunas Dance Project, Marina Collard, Step2Dance, Nocturn Dance, Flaw R’Tists, Lisa Spaull & Daniel Baird and Oxford Lindy Hoppers.

Dancin’ Oxford organiser Claire Thompson said: “It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the dancing. “We’ve had a whole range of groups, both pro and non-professional, who do a range of different styles of dancing and it’s great to see all ages.

“There are performances as well as taster workshops, from contemporary dancing to ballroom and Baby Boogie for under-fives.”

Dancin’ Oxford runs until March 10. Events include a Commercial Jazz Dance Taster tonight at Oxford Playhouse and The Night Ball at Oxford Town Hall tonight and tomorrow.

Visit dancinoxford.co.uk