DANCERS jived, jazzed and quick-stepped their way to the top last weekend, in a bid to raise £50,000 for a special needs college in Gloucestershire.

Organised by the National Star College and dance group Jazzjiveswing, Strictly Star was hosted at the packed-out Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham last weekend.

A staggering £46,000 was raised from one-night event to support young people with complex disabilities. A total of 16 well-known local personalities took to the stage to perform in the style of popular BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

Taking the crown on the night was former Olympic ski-jumper Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards, who jumped to the winner's podium after his performance with Julie Fuller.

“It’s better than winning any gold medal in the Olympic Games,” said Eddie, who lives in Stroud. “It was difficult to get the hands and feet to work together but I’ve loved it and it has been for such a good cause.”

Celebrity doctor from Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies Dawn Harper and her dance partner Rob Farley proudly took second place while National Star principal Kathryn Rudd with Alan Collins came third.

Other dancers included the Cotswold Chef Rob Rees, paralympic footballer David Clarke and founder of Cirencester mobile games company Neon Play Oli Christie.

"It was an amazing evening," said Oli. "I had to do the first dance for the show, which was scary, but was a lot of fun."