A GROUP which staged two charity flash dances in Keighley's Airedale Shopping Centre has so far raised more than £1,200.

The money will go towards buying Tablet devices, to enable people being cared for in Manorlands to make and receive video calls to distant friends and family.

The surprise dances in the centre were staged by more than 20 performers from Halifax-based Studio 59, and organised by Cullingworth resident Joanna Holmes, who is a customer advisor in the Airedale Centre's Three UK mobile shop.

Her own mother spent her last weeks in Manorlands in early 2016.

Mrs Holmes, 48, said: "The flash dances were wonderful and the dancers from Studio 59 were brilliant. I joined in myself and it was so much fun.

"We got £200 from the collection buckets alone, with another £500 donated by my employer, Three UK, and £500 by local law company The Taylor Partnership.

"Samsung also supported us on the day by having a stand where people could play games and win prizes using a virtual reality headset."

Both flash dances, which were held near the WH Smith branch, took place on July 21.

Mrs Holmes explained her mother, Betty Taylor, had died in February 2016 aged 75. She was from Haworth and had spent about six weeks being looked after in Manorlands Hospice.

"At the time my mum was in Manorlands I was living more than 100 miles away," said Mrs Holmes. "It meant that when I called my mum each evening I was taking up the nurse's phone line.

"By funding these Tablets we can ensure patients are able to speak to and see their loved ones living elsewhere, without having to use that phone line."