More than 1,500 children are dancing to make a difference in an anti-drug and crime prevention competition at Oxford's Apollo Theatre.

Fifteen schools - eight last night and seven tonight - are battling it out in eight-minute dance routines for two places in the southern grand final of the Rock Challenge.

The challenge, which is funded through the Be Your Best Foundation and supported by Thames Valley Police, aims to show youngsters there are better ways of beating boredom than turning to drink or drugs. Rock Challenge UK producer Juno Hollyhock said: "We are in for some storming shows."

Last night's winners were Stantonbury Campus, from Milton Keynes.