Local dancer Shrimathi Susanna is taking 27 young dancers to the Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday to celebrate Christmas.

Susanna Harrington, alias Shrimathi Susanna, is one of the few Westerners to have studied Bharata Natyam, a beautiful, 2000 year old classical style, from Southern India.

Susanna is unique in that she uses Bharata Natyam to express Christian, rather than Hindu themes.

Through Bharata Natyam she shares her devotion, captivating her audiences with this spiritual and stunning dance form.

Children from her classes in Halstead, Colchester and Chelmsford will be performing in stunning traditional saris depicting the joy of Mary on hearing she was carrying baby Jesus.

They will also perform two joyous East meets West dances during the magical afternoon service which starts at 3.30pm.

Bharata Natyam is known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses.

Lord Shiva is considered the God of this dance form and today it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over the world.

For more information visit: indian-dance.co.uk.