Women are being encouraged to flash their assets - especially their midriffs.

And they have won lottery cash to cultivate their passion in Bradford and the Aire valley.

The South Pennine Belly Dancing group plans to spread the word to their sisters at a special weekend "hafla" - Arabic for party - at the Victoria Hall in Saltaire.

It is being funded by some of the £2,500 lottery cash they have won to broadcast belly dancing's good health and fun message and to fund sessions by national teachers.

As 52-year-old mother of two Maura Whitehead, the group's bookings and membership secretary, puts it: "Belly dancing brings out the woman in you.

"It's an excuse to dress up and when you start shimmering and wiggling, it's such a wonderful feeling."

And is the belly size crucial? "It's an asset but not essential," she says.

Her belly dancing colleague Jeanette Taylor, of Keighley, caught the belly dancing bug about eight years ago.

And every second Thursday of the month, entertains customers at Ephesus Turkish restaurant in Commercial Road, Shipley.

She has set up belly dancing sessions on Wednesdays for beginners and improvers at the Health and Fitness Club in Oakworth Road, Keighley and sessions are to be held on Sundays for beginners at the High Energy Dance, Health and Fitness studio in Russell Street, Keighley.

"It's a wonderful experience. All women should do it because it improves muscle tone, suppleness and general fitness," she said.

The Jewel of Yorkshire event in Saltaire, which has been organised by members, Mandy Teasdale, of Idle and Chris Ogden, of Keighley, will take place over Saturday and Sunday October 9 and 10.

There will be performers, demonstrations, dance groups, about 40 stalls resembling a souk or Arabic market, and a hafla on the Saturday evening.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the classes should telephone Mrs Taylor on (01535) 662849.