Talented young dancers have been floored by plans which mean they will have to leave the hall where they meet.

More than 160 members of Billericay Dance were devastated to learn the Mayflower Hall in the town's Chapel Street is having a new floor which means they can dance there no more.

The hall, run by nearby United Reformed Church, is having a new £5,000 maple floor fitted next week which will be unsuitable for tap dancing.

Claire Cooper, who runs the group, has been saddened by the news.

She said: "None of us can believe it. I got a call out of the blue from the church to say we would not be able to use the hall anymore.

"All the kids are really upset because there is a real lack of community facilities in the town like this. I have already started ringing around to see if anywhere else will be suitable."

The dance school teaches youngsters aged three to 18 and uses the hall for 17 hours a week. Its pupils, mainly from schools in Billericay, are taught modern ballet, tap and jazz dancing.

John Lovett, from the United Reformed Church, said manufacturers had only recently advised them that the new floor would be damaged by tap dancing.

Mr Lovett said: "It came as a shock when we were told about the floor. Unfortunately, we had to take a quick decision and it is understandable parents are disappointed.

"It was the best all round floor - the old one was giving some people splinters."

All other community groups who use the hall, including keep fit and aerobics, will be unaffected by the new floor.

Mr Lovett added: "We don't like to do this but if we are paying all this money we have to look at the bigger picture."

Unhappy - youngsters from Billericay Dance have been left with nowhere to meet

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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