Four rather unusual swans took to the stage on Saturday to take flight in a ballet school’s annual dance recital.

The Comet: Andrew Russell, James Jury, Stephen Hague and Joel IdeAndrew Russell, James Jury, Stephen Hague and Joel Ide (Image: Archant)

James Jury, Steve Hague, Joel Ide and Andrew Russell slipped on tutus, tights and ballet shoes for the Hitchin School of Dance show.

The four dads, who all have children at the dance school, performed Cygnet Quartet from Swan Lake.

Computer programmer James has taken inspiration from his nine-year-old daughter Pippa and son Mitch, 11, who have been going to the school for about five years.

The 40-year-old, who lives in Hitchin’s Bearton Avenue, said: “My wife put me forward for it, I wasn’t desperately into putting on a tutu, but I will do anything to embarrass the kids. It was stressful, nerve wracking, embarrassing, I have never done anything like this before but it was good fun. It was definitely an experience.

The Comet: Senior Ballet Class, Hitchin School of DanceSenior Ballet Class, Hitchin School of Dance (Image: Archant)

“We didn’t keep the tutus, but we did keep the tights and ballet shoes. So you never know, maybe I’ll put them on again to do the washing up.”

School principal Lorrayne Spindler took the four men under her wing.

She said: “They have worked so hard and their enthusiasm and commitment has completely overwhelmed me.”