AN OPEN day is being held at a city pole dance studio in a bid to raise awareness of the sport as a legitimate form of exercise.

The Art of Dance is organising the event to mark UK Pole Dance Day and will be showcasing some of the strength, fitness and agility needed to take part at world-class level.

Instructors and advanced students will be demonstrating some of their moves during the event, which is due to be held on Saturday, May 1 from 2pm to 4pm at the Seaton Lane studio.

"It is important for us to continue to educate the public about our art form as many people still wrongly perceive fitness pole dancing as something sleazy," said proprietor Sam Remmer.

"The art form we teach is carried out in sports gear and bare feet and is taught to men, women and children."

Ms Remmer said the studio was also working with Government initiative Change4Life to encourage people to exercise more to avoid problems such as obesity and heart disease.

"The NHS is currently under great strain from treating preventable conditions and if we can encourage people to be a bit healthier and more active, then more NHS time can be spent on those with 'real' illnesses," she said.

Pole dance schools across the country are being encouraged to mark UK Pole Dance Day. For more details, visit www.theartofdance.co.uk