MORE than £61,000 was raised when Strictly St Rocco’s hopefuls burst onto the dancefloor.

The 2018 fundraiser saw corporate bank manager Liz Williamson and her professional partner Lewis Crowder crowned the winners after performing the Paso Doble at the Mere Golf Resort and Spa on Sunday.

Emile Kreisler, managing director at Smithfields, and his dance partner Amy Hancock were named as the runners up.

Ten brave amateur dancers put their best foot forward for the competition with their professional partners from Cadmans Dance Centre in front of 400 guests to raise much-needed funds to support patient care at the hospice.

Their efforts certainly impressed the four judges, Victoria Bennett, principal of Cadmans, Ian Mackinnon, patron of St. Rocco’s and previous Strictly St. Rocco’s dancer, Karen Speers, principal of AT Dance and Ralph Casson, actor and dancer.

“This is the sixth year of Strictly St. Rocco’s and we are thrilled to have raised more than £61,000 to help our patients and families,” said Rachel Ingham, fundraising manager for St Rocco’s.

“Our dancers have worked so hard to master their dancers and to raise an incredible amount of sponsorship.

"They have been so supportive of each other and we couldn’t be more proud of every one of them.

"Without people in the Warrington community coming together to support our patients and families in ways like this we simply would not be able to continue to deliver our care.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of this year’s event.”