STUDENTS from a fledgling dance school are proving they have got the winning moves.

Shapes Dance School student Matt Swift, 16, was recently crowned East London break dance champion.

Fellow pupils Levi Wheatley, 13, and George Dansie, 14, have also won the chance to perform at an awards ceremony at the Cliffs Pavilion later this year.

Dan Ife, 24, set up the school in Grainger Road, Southend, after enjoying international success.

Dad-of-two Dan, of Bridgwater Drive, Westcliff, started dancing at 15 as a way of getting fit before joining the Army, but enjoyed it so much, he turn his hobby into a career and gave the Armed Forces a miss.

After winning national and international hip hop competitions, Mr Ife, set up the school last September with fiancee Lynsey Kent, 27.

The dad-of-two is even teaching his son Danny, four, who will take part in his first competition this summer.

Mr Ife said: “I originally thought I would join the Army and started the dance training to improve my fitness, but I quickly fell in love with it. It helped that there were lots of women involved!

“I started out having a laugh with it and now it’s a serious career. I love dancing and teaching, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

The dance school has classes three nights a week and teaches all ages from three years and older.

For more information call 01702 511097.