Local stars teamed up with professional dancers, tapping, spinning and shaking their tail feathers in front of almost 300 people at the Armidale Services Club.

The event has raised almost $50,000 for the Cancer Council – which is more than any other individual Dance for Cancer event in Armidale has raised before.

Cancer Council Event Organiser Paul Hobson said the money will go towards a patient transport service for Armidale.

“Preliminary figures tell us were approaching $50,000,” he said.

“It was definitely a group effort. The importance of support from participants and people behind the scenes is invaluable to make the night the success that is was.”

Judges on the night were Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Armidale Can Assist’s Carol Higginbottom and Beverley Luxton.

“We had some very unique judges,” Mr Hobson said.

“Carol called it how she saw it. Adam Marshall provided some humour and some really good comedy to the event.

“Beverley knew a little more about the techniques and the styles to look out for so I think together they provided a rounded perspective of the night.”

The judges choice award and the overall winner of the event was Jenny Allingham dancing with her partner Phil Matherson.

“We really had a tough time picking ... there were some amazing performances,” Mr Marshall said on the night.

“It’s all about coming out and having some fun and raising some money for a very good cause.”

The people’s choice award went to Matt Meeham dancing with Melissa Killen.

Helen Goodall won the award for the greatest fundraising – raising $7,000 for the cause.

Mr Hobson said the transport service will be in place by early next year at the latest in Armidale for local patients.