Skirt were swished, legs thrown over heads and trumpets tooted as a posse of swing dancers lit up Spitalfields with their annual shindig over the weekend.

Despite the overcast weather, hundreds of jitterbugs grabbed a partner and danced for the crowds by the market yesterday a bid to perform at the Olympics next year.

Organised by the London Swing Festival, the performers were made up of both pros and amateurs.

The group is hoping that the increasing popularity of swing dancing in London will earn it a place at the opening cermeony for the Games next year.

The event was part of a four-day festival of all things vintage, celebrating the burgeoning dance craze.