A FOUR-year-old’s impressive dance moves in front of a 1,000-strong audience won himanational dance competition.

Joseph Burns, of Rattwick Drive, Canvey, scooped the top prize in the under four age category of Dance Quest 2015.

The youngster fended off competition from 40 other young dancers in the final at Pontins Holiday camp in Prestatyn, in North Wales, on November 22.

Britain’s Got Talent 2010 finalists and street dance group Twist and Pulse were on hand to judge the event.

The Disco Dance competition was split into two parts, with finalists performing a routine in groups of five.

Judges then whittled the youngsters down from 40, to just five. The remaining contestants then each performed a three minute routine, before the judges returned their verdict.

Angela Burns, Joseph’s mum, says his family are extremely proud and that his victory could be down to an impressive set of dancing genes.

She said: “He’s absolutely delighted and we’re all very proud of him.

“Joseph entered a regional competition in the summer and did really well to qualify to for the final. He was really excited when we told him about Pontins, and he wasn’t even put off by a six-hour drive up to Wales.

“There might well be something in the genes.Idid about 30 years of dancing and my mum was one of the Tiller Girls at the London Palladium.

“He enjoys it, and it’s just great to see what dancing means to him.”

Mrs Burns, 39, said her son’s confidence on stage came as a surprise.

She said: “It was really strange, as he had no nerves going on at all.

“He’s so shy usually and doesn’t talk to people freely. Joseph does dance and gymnastics just to get out of his shell and boost his confidence really. He’s always been a keen dancer, even to nursery rhymes.”