WEEKS of practicing their dance steps in the office car park paid off for a team from Colour Connection after they were named winners of Gloucestershire’s Star Talent.

The dance troupe took the title at National Star’s charity show as 10 acts from across the county let their talents shine on Cheltenham Town Hall’s stage.

Nikki Budding said she and six colleagues from the Tuffley firm had been learning their street dance number since September.

“We practised in our production room in among the machines and pallets of paper and in the office car park.

“We had an amazing time at Gloucestershire’s Star Talent. We were the last act on and it was nerve wracking watching all the other acts on screen from backstage, they were so good. I had to keep telling myself they were saving the best ’til last to stop the nerves. We couldn’t believe it when we won.

The winning team was made up of Nikki, managing director Richard Currie, Leanda Bickley, Sarah Sharpe, Dominika Ciecierska, Karen Fisher and Gary Evans, 62, who judge Jill Douglas said was the star of the crew.

The acts were scored by a panel of judges included sports broadcaster Jill, National Star patron The Countess Bathurst, designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, and Tweedy the clown from Giffords Circus.

The event raised more than £28,000 to help support young people with complex disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

Many of the contestants learned new skills for the show, mentored by county entertainers. Colour Connection Crew were choreographed by Lindsay Fairley, from Gloucester’s Step N Style Dance Group.

Cirencester tailor Tom Wharton, founder of Barrington Ayre, learned to juggle knives, Helen Howe who co-owns Cheltenham’s Lumiere performed the iconic Dirty Dancing routine with her mentor Tom Goodall, and Over Farm’s Matt Keene let his comedic alter ego Gunther Farmer loose.

Jonathan Walton, from GE Aviation, sang a self-penned song dedicated to National Star’s students. Miles Guerrini, who owns nursery schools in Minchinhampton and Cirencester, became a clown for the night while Cheltenham dance school owner Corraine Collins performed magic.

Businesswomen Kathryn Green, from TTC Global Group, and TSB’s Carolyn Stone combined a tap dancing routine with a rap and Verity Smith, from Veritas PPM Ltd, shared her passion for singing.

National Star even persuaded one of its team to take part. David Crompton, head of corporate services, sang a duet from Phantom of the Opera with his wife Carolyn.

A spokesperson from National Star said: “We were delighted with the success of Gloucestershire’s Star Talent. So many people gave their time to help bring the show together, including all of the participants who spent many weeks training for their act as well as fundraising.

“The support from the audience on the night was amazing. It’s so important for National Star as every donation makes a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities.”