WEST Midlands Arts' Year of the Artist officially draws to a close this month following a highly successful dance and fitness project carried out in Redditch earlier this year.

In partnership with Redditch Council's Sports Development Unit, two Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers worked with fitness classes in January and February as part of the regional scheme.

Grace Maduell worked with an over 50s group at Oakenshaw Community Centre and Dominic Antonucci with a mixed fitness class at St Augustine's Sports Centre.

For two months, the groups followed their regular weekly workouts with a ballet class led by either Grace or Dominic and each created a short dance piece which they performed to the other group at the end of the project.

The Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers were mentored by freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer Dennie Wilson and supported by musician Andrew Kristy.

The project gave an opportunity for the trained dancers to develop skills, experience and confidence in working in community settings and with live music while the participating groups gained in co-ordination, agility, stamina, confidence and working in a team.

They also attended a Birmingham Royal Ballet performance, which was the first time many of them had seen ballet performed live.

Shireen Budeiri, of Redditch Council's Sports Development Unit, said: "The enthusiasm, excitement and Birmingham Royal Ballet fever that was generated by this project - plus the standard of learning and performance by the two groups demonstrate clearly complete fulfilment.

"The trip to the ballet was the icing on the cake for everyone."