A WHITCHURCH photographer had a 'wonderful experience' after winning an award in charity dance competition.

Chris Gittins, owner of Whitchurch Photography in Green End, went on to win 'grand champion' of Strictly Shropshire, alongside his dance partner, Jo Lawson.

Chris, who danced the samba, only took up ballroom dancing in 2019 and took part in the event to raised money for Hope House Children's Hospice.

The photographer said he had a lot of fun, but added raising money for Hope House was the main reason for him taking part.

Whitchurch Herald:

He said: "It was a lot of fun and it was all about the fun and raising money for Hope House.

"It was a wonderful experience.

"It was all about the children and the wonderful work the charity does and it needs the money to keep it going.

"People have donated because of it and I have had amazing support from people in Whitchurch and the other contestants.

"They have done extremely well with their fundraising.

"I think we have reached over £30,000 which is amazing."

The event took place on Sunday, November 25 at the Lion Quays Luxury Hotel & Spa near Oswestry and Chris won his award following a vote by the audience and judges.

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He said: "Fifty tickets were sold and everybody had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I won grand champion and there were two other awards, the audience award and the other was the journey award.

"The grand award was the overall vote from the audience and the judges."

Whitchurch Herald:

Chris attended the last event in 2019 and did not want to take part at the time.

But he told Ross Millar, who offers dance classes through Dance HQ – the company behind Strictly Shropshire – that he would be willing to pull on his dancing shoes this time round.

"I was there at the last one and I said to them I did not want to do that one as I had only just started dancing but then we had lockdown," he said.

"This last 12 months I have been doing it a bit more with Ross and Dance HQ.

"This was the next one and I said to Ross I would do it and I did it.

"Three years later, here we are."