BLACK Country dance students hope to have helped set a new world record for the largest number of tap dancers taking part in the same dance as part of Children in Need events.

Dancers from the Karen Yates School of Dance, based in Lye, Hagley, Amblecote and Colley Gate, took part in this year's Children in Need Tapathon on Sunday which aimed to get more than 7,596 people across the UK tapping at the same time to the same routine - Uptown Funk.

Dance teacher Karen, who hosted the event at St Saviour's Church in Hagley where she teaches, said: "It went fantastically. Everyone turned out but we won't know the numbers just yet. We're just waiting for a phone call or text to say how we've got on."

The 83 dancers participating, whose ages range from six to 77, each stumped up £10 to be part of the world record attempt - which meant an £830 contribution to Children in Need.

Karen, a former professional dancer, remembers taking to the stage for a TV Tapathon at the Manchester G-MEX centre with entertainer Roy Castle back in 1993 and later with Sir Norman Wisdom in 1994.

Life for the determined dancer from Cemetery Road, however, is somewhat different these days as in 1999 she was diagnosed with a rare nerve condition called cauda equina syndrome, which caused partial paralysis and turned every day into a struggle.

Despite her condition which has led to numerous operations - gutsy Karen, aged 50, continues to run her dance school and has staged a host of charity shows over the years for causes close to her heart.

She had to tap while sitting on a chair in the latest Tapathon but the event proved a huge lift to the spirits she said, adding: "The atmosphere was amazing."

A number of performers who joined Karen in the TV Tapathons in the 90s were among those who donned their tap shoes to take part in Sunday's challenge.