A MUSICAL challenge put the outgoing mayor of Knutsford to the test.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner staged a 12-hour danceathon, just days before handing over his chain of office to newly elected mayor Cllr Mike Houghton.

Inspired by Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s lockdown kitchen discos, the outgoing mayor livestreamed his efforts on social media.

Dancing non-stop round the clock, he invited the local community to choose songs in return for a donation.

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It's Raining Men, Drunken Lullabies, You Can't Stop The Beat and Mambo No 5 were among the many requests.

His efforts raised more than £1,400 for his two charities, the Knutsford branches of the Royal British Legion and St Vincent De Paul Society.

Knutsford Guardian:

“After two songs I thought I’m not going to be able to do this,” said Cllr Gardiner.

“But by the end of the first hour, I got into my stride.

“The most difficult thing was we had a few technical issues. At one stage I was dancing but there was no music.”

Cllr Stewart Gardiner shimmied and swirled to a huge selection of songs from 10am to 10pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2.

Encouraging messages from residents boosted his confidence and determination.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support,” said Cllr Gardiner.

“I’ve heard people running the London Marathon say that the further they run along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, the further away it seems. I know what they mean.

Knutsford Guardian:

“The music seemed to go on longer than I expected. I kept looking at my watch.

“My feet and legs were very very sore for the next 24 hours.

“But we raised more than £1,400 for my two charities which is great.”