Sussex jive champs Adam Maple and Holly Shannon are stepping lively after winning a national award.

The dance partners became UK intermediate jive champions at the weekend.

They won their first national title in Blackpool after dancing together for only four months.

Adam, 18, a plasterer from Meadow Close, Southwick, has been attending dance party classes at the Citygate Centre in London Road, Brighton, for a year.

He teamed up with student Holly, 17, of Kingston Lane, Shoreham, after she took her first jive lesson there in November.

Adam's mum, Vanessa Maple, said: "They are really pleased they won the first competition they entered.

"I've been dancing for some time and Adam learnt his first steps at home in the kitchen with me."

He plans to repay her by putting on a cabaret slot with Holly at a ball to raise money for The Martlets Hospice in June.

Mrs Maple works in the accounts department at the hospice in Wayfield Avenue, Hove.

The ball is at The Grand Hotel, Brighton, on June 14, and tickets are available from 01273 747455.