Celebrations are afoot after a salsa duo from Preston took first place in a dancing competition.

Thanassi Vonisfakos, 26, and Kasia Mierzejewska, 25, of Nutter Road, scooped the top prize at the first annual Morecambe Salsa Dance Competition, on July 17.

The salsa sensations wowed the judges with their 20-minute routine of hip swinging jives and smooth hot moves.

It is the second time Thanassi, originally from Athens, has scooped a prize for his dancing steps

He was the winner of a bronze medal at the UK Alliance of Dance Medallist Competition held in Blackpool with another dancing partner.

At the same competition girlfriend Kasia, originally from Gorzow, Poland, and her dancing partner took gold.

Thanassi, who works for the Computa Center in Preston,, said: "We sometimes dance with each other but also have other partners like at the Blackpool competition.

"It was great we both got a medal but to get gold in Morecambe dancing together was amazing.

"My family are so proud of me because I've got a medal in both competitions I've entered." The pair started dancing together when they met in October last year.

They are currently holding salsa dancing lessons at Fives, Guildhall Street, Preston, every Wednesday, at 7pm, to raise money for Kasia, an admin worker, to attend the World Salsa Championships in September on the Caribbean island of Aruba.

Although Thanassi will not be competing he will be supporting his girlfriend and dancing partner, Phil Kaila, on the trip in September and the pair need to raise £1,000.

He said: "She's an amazing dancer and stands a really good chance of getting gold.

"If we don't raise enough money then she will have to go on her own.

"But it's a competition I hope I'll be competing in in the next few years so it would be great experience.

"We're both very excited about it."

Anyone who wants to try salsa can contact Thanassi on 07790838220.

The Wednesday lessons are free but a £5 donation is appreciated.