THE Latin spirit is here to raise temperatures in Ilkley in the New Year.

Dancers Tisha Baxter and Hassan Mamdani have brought the tango to town for all those who dare explore the fiery passion of South American dancing.

The pair are giving lessons every Sunday night at the Wharfedale Studios in Hawksworth Street.

This dramatic and passionate dance, which originated in Argentina towards the end of the last century, will be a fitting way to sweep aside those post-Christmas blues.

Tisha, 42, was already teacher of ballet and Spanish dance including flamenco and folk dancing but had always been interested in the tango.

She said: "I had some friends who were doing it and I had always wanted to learn."

After meeting fellow ballet dancer Hassan when he went to her for some coaching, they decided to take steps to give the people of Ilkley the opportunity to learn the Tango.

Hassan, 24, from Leeds, said: " We met because I wanted some ballet lessons and went to Tisha.

"She knew that I was doing tango and wanted to learn so she started, too.

The steamy dance was born in the brothels of Buenos Aires in the late 1800s but went on to be embraced by high society and danced in ballrooms around the world, reaching its peak in the 1930s and 1940s.

In recent years the tango has been making a remarkable comeback, helped by Louis Bravo's acclaimed show 'Forever Tango' which has toured the world and become one of the longest running shows on Broadway.

Hassan added: "It has been very popular in Leeds and Tisha suggested that we give beginners classes here in Ilkley.

"We have been giving classes since October but we haven't had much response. We're hoping that more people will get interested and take it up in the New Year."

The classes run from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Sunday nights. For further information people should contact Tisha or Hassan on (0113) 3684038 or 07967 127198.