Ballroom that's strictly for kids; Education.

It is the Strictly Come Dancing phenomenon - children and adults are choosing the cha cha cha, fancying the foxtrot and perfecting their paso doble. Women's Editor Diane Parkes joins one class of youngsters who have been bitten by the ballroom bug.

FORGET those computer games and having a lie-in, the Rialto Dance Studio in Acocks Green is proving that youngsters like nothing better than stepping out on a Saturday morning.

As the music fills the speciallyadapted studio, the children are soon practising their New Yorks, their chassis and their holds.

There may be no Craig Revel Horwood or Len Goodman ready to judge them, but the children are still keen to ensure they give it their best.

This class is one of hundreds across the country which have gained popularity due to the success of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing.

Rialto founders Natalie Zapater and Rob Chapman are only too aware of the show's impact.

"We put on a new schedule in September and we knew that a lot of children would be interested in Strictly, so we decided to try a Saturday morning," says Rob. "And it has proved to be very successful.

"We have children from as young as two or three, although they tend to be learning things like marching and rhythm while the real dancing starts with children aged from seven and eight up to about 12."

Rob and Natalie are former ballroom dance partners who have won prizes at regional, national and international levels and Rob, now aged 27, says his heart belongs to ballroom.

"I was about ten when I started and I just loved it," he says. "Then, in the 80s, dancing was really popular but it sort of fell off during the 90s. Programmes like Strictly have made people realise again just how good dancing can be.

"They have made it popular again. People are watching the programme, talking about it and wanting to try it. In fact we do find that whatever dance they have done on the Saturday night, everyone comes to the next class wanting to do it - I am dreading when they do the paso doble!" Natalie, aged 24, first began dancing at the tender age of three, beginning with ballet and tap and then moving on to ballroom. She and Rob were both teaching classes abroad but decided to come back to their Midland roots and open their own dance studio.

Their dream became reality earlier this year when they converted former offices above the Burton's shop in Acocks Green into a studio where they run a range of classes for all ages.

These classes attract children and adults of all abilities.

"Very often with the adults the men initially come along as reluctant partners," says Natalie. "They do tend to be dragged by their partner who has watched Strictly and wants to give it a go.

"But you would be surprised how many men then realise they enjoy it.

"The reason Strictly has made such a difference is it is so much in people's faces. There is the show, the tour, people talking about it, the costumes, it all helps. Also lots of children want to be famous. They used to think they could be famous only by singing or acting, but now they are seeing that you can become famous because of dancing.

"It isn't just Strictly - films like Fame and High School Musical and programmes like So You Think You Can Dance? all help to make dancing more popular."

And Natalie and Rob are looking out for talent.

"I think it is when children reach about the age of seven or eight that you can start to see their abilities," says Rob. "Their attention is really good at that age and they take it all in. With some children you see a naturalness which comes through straight away and you know they will be good dancers and could go on to do competitions.

"With other children it may not come naturally but they will work really hard and do a lot of practising and they do get there."

MoreInfo * Rialto Dance Academy is at 1 Shirley Road, Acocks Green. An open day on Saturday November 21 will include free ballroom classes for children at 10am and adults at 5.30pm For more information on all its classes contact 01454 742586 or see the www.rialtodanceacademy.co.uk website.

CAPTION(S):

Step to the left: Dance teacher Natalie Zapater puts children through their paces at the Rialto Dance Academy in Acocks Green. Right: 13-year-old Jade Brown.