A DISPLAY of a Chinese traditional Lion Dance enthralled pupils at a Torquay school.

The elaborate dance, often performed during Chinese New Year celebrations, was performed for Westlands School year seven pupils by a visiting troupe of young martial arts enthusiasts from the Temple Gym Black Belt Academy in Ellacombe.

The performance began with an explanation of the history and cultural significance of the Chinese Lion Dance, including the belief it brings good luck. It was explained that historically performers used the Lion Dance to practise their martial arts skills, banned by the ruling regime.

The Lion Dance was accompanied by enthusiastic percussion, adding to the drama of the sword-wielding warrior teasing the sleeping lion to wakefulness.

The lion pranced and posed around the floor as the warrior leapt, cartwheeled and somersaulted. The whole display ended as the warrior put the lion back to sleep.

The performers then gave displays of Chinese martial arts skills with weapons and a synchronised display of unarmed martial arts forms.

Derek Vernon of the academy said it was the first time they had performed at the school: "They said it was spectacular and everyone enjoyed it. We said we would go back to perform for another year. We are also happy to perform at other schools and school fetes and other events."

The Temple Gym Black Belt Academy in Ellacombe is one of the organisations supporting the Herald Express Chill! campaign.

Derek said many youngsters aged between six and 16 had joined their training nights since the gym joined the campaign earlier this year which followed a survey of some 2,000 secondary school pupils to discover the kind of facilities they would like to see in Torbay. The gym offers kung fu, kick boxing, weapons training, as well as lion dance for both youngsters and adults.

Mr Vernon is offering free membership for a year and free tuition for the first month to any youngster taking a Chill! voucher along to the gym.

For details see their website www.defend-yourself.com or phone Derek on 01803 323441 or 07792 566118 or just drop in to see them Monday, Wednesday, Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings.

To find out the other free activities you can take part in as part of Chill! visit our website www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/chill

If you are a youngster who wants to take part just print out your Chill! passport from our website then text the number on it and you will be given a unique identity code. Enter the code on the passport, take it along and present it at the venue. There will be a 50p charge for the text but 25p of that will go into a new Herald Express Chill! fund with the aim of buying extra equipment for youngsters to enjoy at the facilities.

If you can offer any activities to the Chill! campaign and to get the chance of being featured in the Herald Express, fill in the coupon on our website and follow the instructions.