STRICTLY Come Dancing may have returned to our TV screens but the countdown is just beginning for the 10 ‘dancers’ who will be jiving, gliding and shimmying their way across the dancefloor at Warrington’s own glittering showdown.

Four hundred guests will descend on Mere Golf Resort and Spa for the third Strictly St Rocco’s charity fundraiser on December 13.

Over the next 10 weeks we are taking a peek behind the training room doors and finding out how the contestants are feeling ahead of the sell-out night.

  • Name: Hayley Smith
  • Age: 38
  • Lives: Chapelford
  • Day job: Editor of the Warrington Guardian
  • Will be dancing: Cha cha cha
  • Fundraising target: £600

Where did you grow up?

I’m from Middlewich originally but moved to Warrington with my husband and two sons several years ago.

Connection to St Rocco’s?

The Guardian has always supported the hospice, but especially so in 2015 as it is our charity of the year.

Reasons for taking part:

Several members of the Guardian team have been involved in helping to raise money for St Rocco’s, whether that’s organising quiz nights, charity days or running marathons, so after seeing their efforts I succumbed to peer pressure and agreed to get involved.

Secret fan of Strictly Come Dancing?

I’m a Strictly devotee, however this year it would be fair to say I’m watching it more intently than ever before.

Partnered with:

A very patient Alex Whyatt, who is 25 and has been dancing since the age of two. Alex’s dance partner Amy is also taking part in Strictly St Rocco’s. They have only been dancing together for 11 months but made the top 24 in the country and top 51 in the world last year, so I am definitely in safe hands.

Do you enjoy dancing? What’s your experience been like so far?

Like a lot of girls I had dance lessons as a child but 30 years, two children and three back operations in between mean I am back to basics and having to learn not to be so self-conscious. It’s a great experience however and a brilliant way to keep fit, although it’s fair to say I’m not as flexible or light-footed as I once was!

Looking forward to the night?

I’m looking forward to finishing my dance and being able to relax and enjoy watching everyone else’s, assuming I’m not on last that is.

Biggest fear about the event?

I keep reminding myself that it is not the real Strictly but ‘dancing’ in front of 400 people remains a terrifying prospect in many ways.

Training so far:

I’ve had six hours of training but think I would need another 60 at least before I felt completely confident. That said, I haven’t fallen over yet, which is reassuring.

Who will be supporting you on the night?

My husband, family and friends.

My children are too young to attend but are under the impression that they will be able to watch me on television instead.

How to sponsor you?

Any additional support would be very gratefully received at strictlystroccos-2015.everydayhero.com/uk/hayley

See next week's Warrington Guardian for training updates from contestant number two.