A KEIGHLEY woman has reached the final of a national Strictly-style dance contest.

Michelle Mitchell will be hot-footing it to Blackpool's famous Winter Gardens next month.

She and her professional dance partner, Will Blythe, will compete against 11 other couples for the Dance Floor Heroes title.

They will perform in front of a judging panel comprising professionals, past and present, from hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

The fundraising competition is organised by the charity Tia's Crown, which supports people with their mental and physical health through dance.

"This is certainly going to be a huge personal journey for me – but for a wonderful cause," says Michelle, 61.

"The final takes place on February 24 and Will is going to have his work cut out teaching me and trying to turn me into an elegant dancer within such a short timescale!

"The whole purpose of Dance Floor Heroes is to give ordinary people like me a chance to have a Strictly-style experience, whilst raising awareness and funds for Tia's Crown – an amazing charity that supports people like me with their mental health and wellbeing through free dance sessions."

After submitting an initial application to take part in the competition, Michelle won a place at heats in Leeds.

"That was a fun day but it took me out of my comfort zone," she says.

"It included being videoed, photographed, answering quickfire questions and making up a dance routine as a team.

"I was proud of myself for what I'd done, but thought no more about it."

Around five months later, after heats across the country had been completed, Michelle learned she was one of 50 semi-finalists.

And then last month she received the news she'd made the final.

Michelle next week begins her training, with Will, in Sheffield.

Also, she is boosting her fundraising effort with a 'from couch to 5k' running programme, plus an online donations page.

"I've not run since my school days – and I am certainly not a natural runner!" says Michelle.

"At the end of my training I hope to complete a park run at Cliffe Castle.

"There are four of us from the Leeds heats who are through to the final and between us we've got together to try to support each other, whilst trying to raise as much awareness and money as possible."

Anyone wishing to support Michelle can donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-mitchell37.