Saturday shoppers in Hitchin’s Market Place took a step back in surprise as the cobbles were commandeered for a surprise celebration.

They looked on in amazement as dancers began to appear from nowhere and embark on a spirited routine to the strains of S Club 7 hit Reach For The Stars.

The unannounced dance bomb flash mob was staged to launch this year’s Garden House Hospice Starlight Walk.

The big event, a major fundraiser for the Letchworth-based hospice team who provide services to patients and their families across North Herts, aims to top a £35,000 target.

More than 500 supporters are expected to set off for the late-night walk from North Herts Leisure Centre on Saturday, September 12.

Organiser Cathy White said: “This year marks the hospice’s 25th anniversary and we are expecting a record number of walkers to take part.

“What better way to launch the event than by a surprise dance bomb, kindly choreographed and led by Maureen Dudley and Robert Zumbro.”

Robert and Maureen run zumba fitness classes throughout North Herts and were only too happy to support the hospice, as were members of their weekly classes who have been practicing the surprise street dance for weeks.

For more information about this year’s walk, open to men and women of all ages, visit www.ghhospice.co.uk/fundraising or call Cathy White on 01462 679540.

For more about local zumba classes visit www.zumbarobert.biz or Facebook Zumbazb.