Best foot forward

Dancers and academics at the University of Teesside are challenging the view of dance as a "Cinderella subject".

Although dance activities are booming thanks to TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, funding for the subject is falling, as are professional pay levels.

Kristine Sommerlade, a choreographer and artistic director of Tees Valley Dance, said: "We want to stimulate debate about dance and dancers' contribution to the creative economy." She joined Heike Salzer, programme leader of Teesside's BA (hons) dance, to host a discussion at the university.