Hundreds of children have been dazzling an audience of thousands as they play their part in a three-day dance extravaganza.

More than 2,000 pupils from 59 schools in Brighton and Hove will be appearing on stage at the Brighton Dome in Church Street this week.

The first of three Let's Dance 2007 performances was staged last night and met by a warm response from a packed audience. Children aged from five to 18 and from infant, junior, primary, secondary and special schools have all been involved in the annual spectacular.

Organiser Paul Watson, a school sport co-ordinator based at Dorothy Stringer School, in Loder Road, said: "It is going to be really fantastic. This is a great opportunity for children of all ages and from all schools to perform at a top venue.

"Most of them usually perform in their school halls but this is a completely different experience."

The second performance will be staged tonight and the third tomorrow.

Each of the schools involved has prepared its own pieces for the event with styles ranging from street dance to contemporary. One performance by West Hove Juniors in Portland Road, Hove, will feature a chorus of bicycle bells. This is the sixth year the event has been held. It started off as a one night show involving 13 schools and has expanded each year.

A fourth night is due to be added for the 2008 event, which is expected to involve all 76 schools in the city.

The schools taking part will be rehearsing at the Dome as well.

Yesterday youngsters from St Luke's Infants in Queen's Park Rise, Westdene Primary in Bankside, St Peter's Community Infants in St Peter's Road, Portslade, St Bernadette's Catholic Primary in Preston Road, Portslade Infants in Locks Hill, St Martin's Primary in Hartington Road and Elm Grove Primary in Elm Grove were all in action.

Mr Watson said much credit was due to a team of Year 10 and 11 students who have helped with the organisation of the event as part of their BTEC qualifications in PE.