Dozens of toe-tapping youngsters have been left in the lurch after their dance teacher was given only two days' notice to quit her studios.

More than 50 children between the ages of three and 19 have been attending Elgeez Dance Studio above a former nightclub in Briggate, Shipley, since it was set up in November last year.

But with less than three weeks to go to a major competition, dance teacher Lindsey Garbutt claims she has been forced out of her studios after being given only two days to find alternative premises. Mrs Garbutt said: "I started renting the studio in November and initially I was given a three-month contract.

"I knew that the building was on the market so when the three-month contract ran out, we just renewed the contract on a weekly basis.

"I paid the rent last Friday as usual and nothing was said about anyone having sold the building.

"But then I found out that the night club was holding its last function on Saturday night and when I rang on Monday to see what I'd do about paying the rent, I was told that the building was being boarded up on Wednesday and that I'd have to move out."

Mrs Garbutt says that the timing couldn't have been worse as on September 25, 110 of her pupils and their parents are due to set out to the prestigious four-day East of England Championships being held in Filey. "The kids are all devastated and so are their parents."

"I feel as if we're in limbo. There's nowhere for us to practise and we desperately need to find somewhere else so we can go through the routines for the championships.

"I've been ringing round to find alternative premises, but so far I've had no luck - we're desperate for help."

A spokesman for the owners of the building in Briggate, Mansfield Breweries, said that all their property transactions were handled completely by their managing agents, Host Group. No-one yesterday from Host Group was available for comment.

If anyone can help Mrs Garbutt find a new home for her studio, please telephone Bradford 590001 or 07771 813647.

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