A GROUP of women who spotted an advert for burlesque classes in the Derby Telegraph performed their first saucy routine at a charity event last night.

In October, nine ladies from across Derbyshire signed up for the six-week course with Bijoux Burlesque.

They learned how to pose and walk seductively and were shown the most alluring way to remove stockings and glove and how to use feather boas and fans.

And last night, the Burlesque Belles – dressed in frilly knickers and corsets – showed off their moves in front of a cheering audience at The Waterfall, in Railway Terrace, Derby.

One of the dancers, Helen Humphrey, said the classes had boosted their confidence.

The 42-year-old, from Alfreton, said: "I don't think any of us got into it to perform in front of a crowd. I wanted to do it for a bit of fun and exercise but I've really got into it.

"Since we started, our confidence has grown and it's got to the stage where we do actually want to perform.

"None of us would wear these clothes out in public but when we're dancing, it's different. We get to wear these fabulous costumes and it feels amazing getting dressed up and strutting our stuff."

But she said that, initially, the classes were something of a culture shock.

"We all turned up in jumpers and leggings and then the tutor came in dressed in corset, stockings and knickers – our jaws just dropped," said Mrs Humphrey.

"But once we got the confidence to buy our own outfits and start dancing, it became so much fun. It's brilliant."

Mrs Humphrey, who works at recruitment firm Staff Connect, in Ripley, said the dancers all signed up to Bijoux Burlesque after spotting the advert in the Derby Telegraph.

The group – which also includes Catharine Brown, Astrid Tomlinson, Maria McCabe, Sammy Wood, Natasha Gastap, Angel Lavey and tutor Wanda Handfull – performed at The Waterfall to raise money for Breast Cancer Care and Childline.

Mrs Humphrey said: "The most fun part of the classes, for me, was seeing the routines come together after all the practice sessions.

"When we first started, we didn't know much about burlesque dancing and the routines were a little tricky to pick up.

"But as the course progressed, we started remembering bits and bobs and then, one day, it all came together and we were dancing as a group, which was brilliant.

"It's so much fun that I sometimes show off the routine in the office. My colleagues are getting a bit sick of the music but I think I've convinced a couple of them to come along to the next set of lessons."

Bijoux Burlesque will be starting another six-week dancing course in January, which will be held at The Waterfall and costs £35.

For more information, visit www.bijouxburlesque.co.uk.