A NORTHERN soul enthusiast has described his elation at a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to perform at a national celebration.

Alex Morrison, of Barrow, will be in the national eye when he puts on his dancing shoes as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

The Pageant will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume to ‘celebrate Her Majesty’s unwavering duty, love of the natural world and dedication to the Commonwealth.’

He will be one of 15 dancers on the flatbed trailer when the Pageant takes place on Sunday, June 5.

And he has described it as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to represent himself, his town and his country on the national stage.

He said: "It's an honour to be asked to take part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant to celebrate the Queen's 70 year reign and represent my country doing something that I am passionate about. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I feel privileged to have been asked to participate in. I'm sure I will be feeling every emotion possible on the day.”

Taking place on Sunday, June 5, the event will be televised on the BBC.

The 27-year-old dancer and DJ will be performing on the decades/times of our lives section of the procession on the northern soul float.

He first became interested in northern soul at the age of 18, and has travelled across the UK to competitions and events ever since.

It was at one of these events; The Northern Soul Weekend at Blackpool Tower, that he was spotted by an event organiser.

He was taking part in the World Northern Soul Dance Championship, which he has entered a number of times previously, when he was approached and asked to perform for the Queen’s Jubilee.