HUNDREDS of baby ballerinas dusted of their tutus and danced on their twinkle toes for a charity dance event.

More than 200 children aged between six months and six years joined in the danceathon for the Tommy's baby charity at events across the city including Hangleton Community Centre.

The Brighton ballerinas have already raised more than £2,700 between them, with the donations still pouring in.

Babyballet teacher Kelly Tyler , who teaches classes across Brighton and Hove, said: "I'm just so proud of all of them.

"You usually get one or two who are a bit nervous in a class, but for the danceathon they all got right into it.

"It's the first time we have done a sponsored event and its also probably the first time any of the children have ever done anything sponsored either.

"Tommy's approached us and asked if we would be interested in doing a danceathon and we jumped at the chance.

"Being a family orientated organisation lots of people know about Tommy's and wanted to help.

"We held the events during the normal classes but it was all new music and new moves but the children weren't even the slightest bit daunted."

Babyballet is a nationwide chain of pre-school dance classes where babies, toddlers and young children can enjoy the physical and social benefits of ballet, song and dance.

All of the danceathons were held during the 211 pupils' usual weekly classes - but with a special Peppa Pig theme - in aid of Tommy's.

Tommy's is the UK's largest charity funding research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. It also provides information for parents-to-be to help them have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden who is supporting the Tommy's Danceathon said: "As a mother Tommy's is a charity that's close to my heart.

"Each little ballet dancer means more help for mums to have happy and healthy pregnancies and happy and healthy babies."