By Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

WITH everything from Bollywood to tap dancing on show, around 3,000 people attended the Norbury Dance Festival on Sunday.

The free event in Norbury Park featured a host of acts performing on a specially-constructed stage.

And the day of entertainment – organised by Norbury Business Partnership – has been hailed as even better than the maiden event last year.

Jason Grant, district centre manager for Norbury, said: "Compared to last year it was much better.

"Some of the same acts who came last year were even better this year. The bar has been raised."

Speaking next to his stall, Michael Jellow, co-owner of Caribbean restaurant Flavours of Norbury, said: "We have a range of different people in the community and a festival like this is a way of bringing them together.

"There's a lot of negativity in the world, so the opportunity to create this sort of positive vibe is a good thing.

"It sends the message out that we're working together and raising the profile of Norbury."

There was plenty of local talent on show, including performers from the Semley Dance Studio, based in Semley Road, and the Betty Wivell Dance Academy, based in Norbury Court Road.

Cheerleaders from Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls, in Kensington Avenue, Thornton Heath, also performed and there were appearances from groups 3rd Bar, The Hazeltones and Kandigirls.

Juliette Alexis, 37, of Briar Road, Norbury, said: "Norbury is a really nice place to live but it seems there's always something going on elsewhere.

"You've got to support local events.

"I was going to Wandsworth Common, but I thought I'd pop down here.

"It makes you proud of where you're from."

Fellow reveller Esau Blair, 66, from Stanford Road, Norbury, agreed that the day had been a huge success.

He said: "This festival is good. It brings everyone together."

The event was declared open by Mayor of Croydon Avril Slipper and in total 23 acts showcased their talents.

Speaking to the crowd, Ken Hume, chair of Norbury Business Partnership, said: "Today is about Norbury and it's about telling people there's a lot of talent in Norbury."