With a beaming smile, shrieks of excitement and quick feet, a dance instructor was a picture of health as she led a group of over 30 people through their steps on Saturday night.

Libby Newton, of Corton, near Lowestoft, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in November, but just five months later she was celebrating in style after receiving the all clear.

Miss Newton runs the Venue for Performing Arts, in Lowestoft, and decided to say thank you to the nurses who had helped her by organising a two-hour zumba marathon.

'I discovered in November I had cervical cancer and it has just been horrific, and not something anyone wants to go through,' she said. 'I had the most amazing support and got the all clear a month ago, so it's good to be fighting fit and back this quickly.'

Miss Newton, 30, underwent two operations in February at Saint Bartholomew's Hospital, in London, but barely took anytime away from her dance studio.

'My passion is coming in teaching the kids and I knew I'd get better quicker surrounded by these people. Sitting at home is not for me,' she said.

Miss Newton will have to have regular scans, tests and check for the next 10 years but said she has a 'new lease of life'.

She decided to hold a dance fundraiser to say thank you to the Macmillan nurses for their support.

'It was the best health care I could have had. They just did so much for us, they could not do enough for us,' she said.

Also lending their support throughout were her parents David, 62, and Lesley Newton, of Haddiscoe, who admitted they had feared the worst when they heard her diagnosis.

Mrs Newton, 60, described the work of the nurses as wonderful and said that they were on hand to offer the whole family anything they needed.

She said: 'Although we did not need an awful lot from they're just a fabulous service. They were very concerned for us as a family.'

The couple also spoke of their pride at seeing their daughter back doing what she loves the most, and said it was tiring just watching her perform.

Mrs Newton said: 'I just can't stop smiling it could have turned out so differently. To see her up there dancing for two hours is just a pure ecstatic pleasure.'

Dancers, ranging from six to their 40s, arrived in pink tutus at the studio, in School Road, to join Miss Newton as together they took part in the latest dance craze for two hours. The full-on dance workout, that links many rhythms including salsa and calypso, is normally just 45 minutes long.

Miss Newton said: 'It was just amazing, absolutely amazing to have that support. With all the excitement and adrenaline it felt just like a class.'

It is hoped over �1,000 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support from the marathon.