YOUNGSTERS and their parents at a Halesowen school are getting into the groove for their Mardi Gras-style street carnival with West Indian-style dance and fitness lessons.

Jay Gardiner, from Infinite Arts, is running after school SOCA classes, based around soul and calypso music, at Caslon Primary School, having previously used it to improve fitness levels of the Great Britain hockey team.

Headteacher Adrian Pembleton said sessions were helping to improve pupils’ fitness, co-ordination and encouraged them to work together and to communicate with each other.

"I am especially pleased that these classes are bringing together all ages from our community in a fun and enjoyable way that also improves their health and fitness," he added.

The annual carnival will be held at the Beeches View Avenue school on Friday May 27 and will feature a street procession around the Fatherless Barn Estate at 1pm with children, staff and parents dressing up, followed by a fairground, refreshments, face painting and stalls in the school grounds.

Anyone interested in contributing to the carnival or wanting more details should call 01384 818875