A WATER company employee from Ramsbottom is taking to the dancefloor to raise money for terminally-ill children.

Hazel Gough, a data processes and standards manager for United Utilities, is undergoing an intensive training regime as she prepares to take part in a Strictly Come Dancing-style fundraiser.

The 43-year-old mother-of-two is hoping to become the belle of the ball when she performs with professional dancer Chris Tighe in a glitzy ballroom competition against seven of her co-workers.

Contestants from United Utilities have been paired with top international dancers from Headliners dance school in Wirral and Trujons Dance Studio in Oldham, and have been rehearsing since the beginning of January.

The competition will be held at popular ballroom venue Floral House, in Southport, on April 23.

Hazel said: “It’s going to be very nerve-wracking on the night — especially performing in front of colleagues who are more used to seeing me working with facts and figures than in sequins and dance shoes — but I’ll just remind myself that this is all for charity and that should get me through.

“I would like to thank Castle Leisure Centre in Bury for allowing me to use their studio to practise my moves. Without their support I would have struggled to find a suitable rehearsal space.”

The event is raising money for Claire House Children’s Hospice, which cares for children across Cheshire and Merseyside who have life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.

Tickets sold out in less than four hours after United Utilities employees and their partner companies snapped them up.