SOUTHEND YMCA celebrated its 20th anniversary by staging a “flash mob” event in the town’s High Street.

Sixth-formers from Leigh’s Belfairs Academy, who been working with the YMCA, danced to a selection of songs compiled by volunteer Ben Hale, from Shoebury.

The display began when a passer-by gave some money to one of the dancers, posing as a homeless person, with a sign reading, “Will dance for money”.

It prompted the rest of the cast to break into dance in front of unsuspecting shoppers.

Syrie Cox, chief executive of Southend YMCA, said: “We wanted to raise awareness of Southend YMCA, youth homelessness and poverty in our area.”