UNDETERRED by technical problems, dancers of all ages took part in a lively Darlington display yesterday (Saturday, July 12).

An overheating sound system meant the town’s fourth annual Mass Dance ground to a temporary halt but that wasn’t enough to put hundreds of dancers off their steps.

Crowds gathered in the blazing sunshine on Market Square to watch the event, which kicked off with a performance from Ruff Diamond, the Hartlepool dance crew who recently made it to the finals of Sky One’s Got to Dance.

The five-piece donned smart suits and thrilled the audience with an energetic display of their skills, set to a soundtrack that included songs from Men in Black and Michael Jackson.

The square was then taken over by hundreds of people for a mass choreographed dance to a medley of pop hits including the themes to Ghostbusters, Batman and songs from The Wizard of Oz.

The dance saw professional and amateur dancers of all abilities don matching red t-shirts to give an enthusiastic performance of a routine choreographed by Darrien Wright and Debbie Waistell.

Darlington mayor, Councillor Gerald Lee, was on hand to officially open the event and led a mass sing-along to Happy Birthday in honour of 100-year-old Darlington woman Kitty Moony.

The afternoon – which was hosted by radio presenter Tom Davies - also saw performances from dance collectives including Bionic Funk, Urban Kaos, Kast Dance Company and local salsa and belly dancers.