Youngsters swapped the classroom for the dance hall to show their support for keeping a well-loved Scottish tradition alive and birling.

No less then 250 primary seven pupils descended on the Victoria Halls in Helensburgh for day of country dancing.

Maths and history lessons were replaced for the day by jigs and reels as the youngsters showed off their dancing prowess.

The annual Day of Dance is run jointly between LiveArgyll Active Schools and the Helensburgh branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS).

The successful programme is for primary seven pupils attending all the local schools in the Helensburgh and Lomond catchment area.

Around 250 children attended this year for either the morning or afternoon session.

The children had practised hard in the lead up to the event and all danced well on the day.

Active Schools Co-ordinator Martin Caldwell told the Advertiser: "The success of the day was testament to the input from school staff in order to learn the programme of dances and the coordination on the day from the volunteers."

Helen Rodger and Irene Smith were on hand to provide dance instructions and to encourage the pupils on to the floor - made easier this year as the children were keen to dance from the start.

Members of the Helensburgh branch came along either for the whole day or for one of the sessions to volunteer as stewards and ensure the day ran smoothly.

Martin thanked all the volunteers from the Helensburgh Branch of the RSCDS for giving their time and supporting the event and also to teaching staff involved and pupils for conducting themselves so well on the day.

He added: "The branch is committed to encouraging young people to come and try Scottish country dancing and although the Day of Dance requires lots of planning, it is worth it to see so many young people enjoying themselves."

Further information can be found on the Branch website at www.rscds-helensburgh.org.uk