A Prestwich-born dancer and TV judge is backing a new Christmas campaign to raise funds to help survivors of modern slavery.

Dame Arlene Philips, 80, best known for her former role as a judge on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, will join Dead Ringers star and former Strictly contestant Jan Ravens, and Reggae Reggae Sauce founder Levi Roots.

The former dancer and choreographer has joined forces with charity Causeway as a Rewriting Christmas celebrity supporter.

In Arlene’s campaign video, she encourages others to join her in supporting the campaign and helping “take care of those who have survived slavery”, saying she is “shocked in this day and age that this is going on”.

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It is estimated that more than 50m people around the world are trapped in modern slavery and exploitation, with more than 100,000 of those here in the UK.

Rewriting Christmas is a new campaign from the anti-slavery charity Causeway, raising awareness of UK modern slavery, and raising funds to support modern slavery survivors.

Currently three quarters of those identified as modern slavery victims in the UK are men.

British people are currently the nationality second most at risk of modern slavery in the UK, after Albanian people.

Arlene Phillips said: “Modern slavery is on the rise, and it’s taking place in towns and cities all across the UK.

"That’s why Causeway’s Rewriting Christmas campaign is so important. Causeway needs your support to continue their work with survivors.

"Any amount you can donate to them this Christmas will be massively appreciated, and will allow them to continue making a real difference to some of the most vulnerable in society.”

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Helen Ball, Causeway’s CEO, said: “The voices and experiences of modern slavery survivors are often not heard.

"Causeway are very grateful to have the support of Arlene, Jan and Levi to help shine a light on the situations that many people will be facing this Christmas who are trapped in modern slavery and exploitation.

"Christmas can be a particularly scary and isolating time for survivors.

"Not only for those who are currently experiencing modern slavery, but also those rescued who are struggling to readjust into society and deal with the trauma of what they’ve been through.

"If anybody is in a position to donate to the Rewriting Christmas campaign, we would be extremely grateful.”

You can donate to Causeway’s Rewriting Christmas campaign here: https://www.wearecauseway.org.uk/news-campaigns/causeway-campaigns/rewriting-christmas/