ALMOST 200 people turned out to support a Wee County additional support needs dance group last week.

HappyDays Performing Arts put on just their second ever show with a Christmas display to the delight of a packed out Sauchie Hall on Saturday, December 21.

The company was set up to give those with additional support needs across the Forth Valley the opportunity to dance and perform and has been doing just that since November of last year.

It's the second show they organisation has put on this year following a hugely successful maiden display in the summer, which gave everyone the impetus to steam ahead with further performances.

Shelby Struthers, founder and owner of HappyDays, hailed the Christmas show as amazing as she detailed how happy it made all 60-plus performers.

She told the Advertiser: "It went amazing and was an even bigger success than the first one. So many people were there to support us because the word is getting out and is spreading now.

"The money raised [from the summer show] meant we could by a sound and PA system, stage lights and costumes so they loved all of that. It was amazing to see how happy they all were.

"The actual show was a Christmas mashup and we had a third year pupil from Lornshill Academy doing a monologue, and because we have the sound system now we could include singing and different types of musical theatre stuff."

Shelby also revealed there was a raffle on the day which managed to raise £450, half of which she is donating to Play Alloa for all the support they have given her, while the other half will be invested back into the company.

Such is the growing success of HappyDays, Shelby said for the next summer show she is looking for a bigger venue having sold out the 190-capacity Sauchie Hall for the Christmas performance.

She said: "We will be doing a summer show again, but I'm looking for a bigger location, which is great but is stressful for me. It has just grown and grown which is brilliant."

The dance teacher also said she is looking to branch out with a new venue somewhere in the Forth Valley so she can include more people in performances.

Shelby wished to thank all the volunteers who helped on the day from pouring teas and coffees to selling the raffle tickets, as well as all the performers and their parents and carers.