A DANCE troupe treated shoppers and passers-by to a surprise performance at Oxford's Westgate Centre today.

Members of the charity Oxfordshire Youth, alongside dancers from Messy Jam, took over Leiden Square with a flash mob this afternoon. 

Curious shoppers crowded at the edge of the upper floor and peered down, as the youngsters below began breakdancing and tumbling across the astroturf at midday.

The spectacle marked the opening of nominations for the charity's Oxfordshire Youth Awards, which will take place at the New Theatre in May to celebrate young people's achievements in the county.

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The awards, sponsored by Blenheim Palace, are being overseen by five people on the group's youth committee, including committee chairman Darius Smith.

The 21-year-old choreographed the flash mob along with Messy Jam’s dance teacher, Ellisha.

He said: "We hope that the flash mob makes people stop and stare and want to enquire about the Youth Awards.

"We have all worked so hard putting this flash mob together and this is just a little
glimpse of how spectacular the Youth Awards will be."

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After a circle of dancers each took it in turn to perform, members of the youth committee came forward to explain what it was in aid of.

See oxfordshireyouth.org/youthawards for details of the awards and nominations.

Anyone can nominate a young person aged 8-21 for a category, which include: STEM
Innovator, Arts Superstar, Inspirational Entrepreneur and Pride of Oxfordshire.

The charity is looking for sponsors for the ceremony and will also soon hold auditions for young performers to entertain the audience on the night.