BALLET is not just the epitome of elegance, it can have multiple health benefits too - as lads from Wigan Warriors rugby club are discovering.
The club hit the headlines last week after it was revealed players are swapping ankle taps and box kicks for assembles and battements by taking weekly ballet classes to improve their strength and posture on the pitch.
This has inspired us to dig out some nostalgic ballet photos that have appeared in the Echo over the decades.
The photo gallery includes ballet classes and ensembles in action, as well as when professional dancers from the Bolshoi and Royal Ballet chasséd down to south Essex to keep students on their toes.
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