Dance delight for Sally and Doug

A sell-out audience clapped and cheered the night away as Sally and Doug beat nine other couples to take first place in the debut Strictly Banbury event.

The Banbury Guardian teamed up with international ballroom dancer Andrzej Mialkowski to host the event.

Ten local 'celebrity' dancers - including Horton General Hospital campaigner Cllr George Parish, Cllr Dave Earle and Banbury Guardian editor and reporters Jason Gibbins, Roseanne Edwards and Laura Squires - were paired with senior students of Andrzej's Step by Step Dance School.

Final figures have yet to be revealed, but it is expected the event will have raised in the region of £2,000 for the Banbury Guardian's charity of the year, Home-Start - an invaluable resource with a network of volunteers helping struggling families with young children

Sally and Doug pipped student Alice Hunter/Dave Roberts and Dave Earle/Belinda Quilter to first place after the 10 dance couples were reduced to three finalists after all couples performed a cha cha and waltz.

Banbury Guardian editor Jason Gibbins said: "What a fantastic evening! The success of Strictly Banbury was beyond my wildest expectations with all competitors and the audience enjoying a wonderful evening.

"I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my deepest gratitude to all dancers and congratulate our worthy winners, Sally and Doug.

"Strictly Banbury was the result of an incredible amount of hard work and generosity from a huge number of people - my sincere thanks go out to them all.

"Talks are already under way about repeating the event in 2010 - watch this space!"

Television presenter and author Sue Cook kindly compered the dance extravaganza, watched by an audience of around 160 people.

Pictures from last night's show are now available to view above.

Further pictures and details will also be available in this week's Banbury Guardian, on sale Thursday.

You can read previous stories on Strictly Banbury, including profiles and diaries of dancers, by clicking here.

To pass on messages of congratulations to Sally and Doug on their victory, or to post messages to all other competitors, please register or sign in below.