You don't have to travel to South America to groove the night away to steamy Latin rhythms. Stroud's Bar Riga has started weekly salsa classes. Our reporter James Davis doesn't know rumba from ragtime - so we sent him along to

HAD someone asked me to execute a cross body lead, perform a mambo or pull off an open step two weeks ago I would have given them a blank stare.

But having attended Bar Riga's new weekly dance class I now know these are the key ingredients of the groin-grinding, shoulder-shaking and hip-thrusting salsa.

All too aware of my woeful lack of natural rhythm I was delighted to learn there are no strict rules to modern salsa - which originates from steps performed to Cuban son music in the late 19th Century.

And any remaining anxieties I had were quickly dismissed by Salsa del Sol teachers Thomas and Anna Melendez.

The pair have been teaching together for several years and recently made guest appearances on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

After being shown the basic moves the crowd was divided into groups - the leaders and the followers and formed two circles on the dance floor. Each inner circle follower paired up with a leader from the outer circle to practise a step.

Having barely exchanged pleasantries with newcomer Sarah - let alone stumbled through a newly half-learned step - it was time to rotate and meet our next partner.

And predictably the inaugural class of this sensual and stylish South American dance started out in a typically British fashion as many of the 50-strong crowd refused to part company with their inhibitions.

But as partners came and went the pace became faster and more furious in what seemed like an innovative adaptation of speed dating.

And before I could say 'cha-cha-cha' Thomas - our charismatic Venezuelan coach - soon had hips swinging and arms flailing.

With the basics not so much mastered as vaguely memorised we paired off putting our newly acquired skills into practice.

The Latin spirit eventually sunk through and after a few experimental shapes had been thrown and numerous collisions narrowly avoided it came as quite a disappointment when the class finally came to an end.

Relieved however that I had could catch my breath, I asked Anna why so many people take up salsa dancing.

"It's sociable, healthy, cultural and above all fun," she said.

"Everyone takes to it differently, some find it easy to learn the basics and others may take a few weeks, but everyone can dance salsa eventually even if they believe they have two left feet or no rhythm."

Later everyone was invited back to the floor.

And pleasantly surprised by the night's entertainment it wasn't long before I was once again breaking out the moves.

Look out Havana, here I come and I'm ready to rumba.

*Salsa del Sol are in residence at Bar Riga every Thursday night. Beginners and intermediate classes begin at 7.30pm and are followed by a DJ until late. Classes are £4. Visit www.barriga.co.uk for more information.

End (530) JD