It's hard to believe he's got the stomach for it - but Westleigh Cross is Sussex's only male belly dancer.

But the 29-year-old star of the Belly Dance For You Eastern Promise troupe is hanker for a bit of male company and wants other men to join him on stage.

Mr Cross, of Swanborough Place, Brighton, said: "I get on really well with all the women. I jokingly tell them they are all my girls.

"I saw them performing at Whitehawk Winter Pride and thought I'd give it a go then found out I was a bit of a natural.

"At first I felt a bit intimidated because I was the only guy but after meeting the girls I was no longer frightened."

Belly Dance was formed 18 months ago on the Whitehawk estate in Brighton and has 82 women, aged 17 to 70, on its books.

Mr Cross added: "All the girls have made me welcome - we have a great laugh and they often lend me pieces of costume for the shows.

"They don't treat me any different because I'm a bloke. People do think it is a bit unusual but I really enjoy it.

"It is my main hobby, the one that I have really stuck with, and it is a great way to keep fit. I would definitely recommend it."

Belly dancing is said to be the oldest form of dance, traditionally performed by women for other women, often during fertility rites.

Dancers go barefoot to be in physical touch with the Earth.

Teacher Julie Campbell, 48, of Manor Hill in Whitehawk, Brighton, decided to start the group with members of her dance class who were keen to perform in front of an audience.

The class, which was held at the Valley Social Club, in Whitehawk Way, first performed at the Whitehawk Winter Pride two years ago.

Ms Campbell invites everyone who attends one of her five classes across Sussex to join the group, which performed at the Jamaica Inn in Portland Road, Hove, on Saturday night (February 9).

She got advice from staff at the Whitehawk Inn Training Centre in Whitehawk Road before getting funding from East Brighton For You and The Scarman Trust.

Two more men have recently signed up but do not perform regularly and Ms Campbell thinks more people would enjoy the Middle Eastern art if they gave it a chance.

She said: "It has always been a diverse mix of people but never more so than nowadays because we have three male members.

"Both men and women realises it is an opportunity to meet people in a social environment as well as a great way to get in shape."

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