A REGISTRAR hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for Bury Hospice after being selected as a contestant in their Strictly-style fundraising event.

Hadyn Keenan is one of 28 candidates who is taking dance lessons ahead of the Strictly Best Foot Forward competition.

The 50-year-old from Ainsworth has been a registrar for 28 years, often visiting the hospice.

He said: "I've often visited the hospice and people who are terminally ill in their homes to carry out registrations, so I knew in my heart I wanted to do something to help."

Each contestant has committed to raising £400 for the hospice, based in Rochdale Old Road.

A Just Giving page for the event has topped £3,480, with extra monies being raised by individuals.

Mr Keenan, has been a registrar in Bury for 15 years, following 13 years at Manchester City Council.

He has been paired with Gemma Hardy, a primary school teacher from Bury, after they both chose to do a rock 'n' roll dance for the competition.

Mr Keenan said: "I chose the rock 'n' roll number because I didn’t think I could cope with an Argentine tango or a fruity rumba.

"I struggled at the start because I was dancing with people who could really dance. But now it's just the contestants, and we're concentrating hard on getting the dances right.

"I'm enjoying it, and really look forward to the sessions."

Mr Keenan and Ms Hardy are being given lessons by professional dance instructors at A Touch of Class Dance Studio in Little Lever and Active Dance in Radcliffe.

Following 12 weeks of rehearsals, of which there are eight still to go, each couple will perform their three dance routines in front of a live audience.

The grand finale will take place at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich on Saturday, December 9.

The event has been organised by Deborah Lisle, 58 from Tottington, who lost her husband John in 2015 after his courageous battle against cancer.

Deborah has been a fundraiser for the hospice since November 2016.

She said: "I picked up dancing when John passed away. We thought this would be a fantastic way to raise extra money for the hospice, to support the wonderful work they do."

To donate to the hospice, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/buryhospice/strictly2017.