A couple are polishing their footwork as they prepare to perform a salsa in front of hundreds of people at a charity dance contest.

Maria Jaini, of Ingersoll Road, Enfield, and her partner Costa Theseus, hope to raise £500 for the North London Hospice at its Dancing Strictly competition.

They will go head-to-head with ten other couples at Artsdepot in North Finchley on February 7 to support the North London Hospice.

The competition is supported by the Times and Independent Series.

Ms Jaini, 52, said: “I’ve never done any dancing before - I suppose you could say I’ve got two left feet but I am really excited about this challenge.

“I’d never met Costa before this but I have enjoyed getting to know him. We haven’t had a lot of time to practice and it’s been very busy.

“Sometimes I worry about whether we are going to make it, but it’s been nice learning how to dance and all in all, it’s a great experience.”

The North London Hospice has centres in Woodside Avenue, Finchley and Barrowell Green, Winchmore Hill.