Dancing to remember little angel Layla-Rose

TOTS TOGETHER . . . The troupe Layla-Rose Ermenkeli was to be leader of at Collettes Dancing Troupe annual open night held in her in memory

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A DANCE troupe's annual open night was sold out as tots took part in memory of a "dancing angel".

Collettes Dancing Troupe were set to cancel Open Night 2017 after one of its six-year-old members died suddenly of a rare infection.

But the family of Layla-Rose Ermenekli insisted "the show must go on".

Layla-Rose, who joined the troupe from the moment she could dance, and was set to become this year's Tots leader.

Sadly she died on February 4 from meningococcal meningitis.

Collettes also held the event in memory of treasurer of more than 30 years Betty Howarth, who died from pneumonia one week before Layla-Rose's death.

Troupe secretary Gary Melia, who organised the open night, said: "We were going to cancel the event after Layla's sad passing, but her family insisted the show must go on and so we did it all in her memory.

"Everybody was heartbroken over the loss of both Layla and Betty. Both their families have been there for years, but both insisted we ran the event.

"It was an emotional and very difficult evening but it was a wonderful occasion."

A 700-strong audience watched on as dancers performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, on Saturday night.

The Tots, one of four groups in the troupe, danced to Rock Around The Clock, The Twist and Pretty Little Angel Eyes by Showaddywaddy.

The last routine of the two- to six-year-olds was chosen in honour of Layla-Rose who was a pupil at Oasis Academy Limeside.

Dance teacher and family member Catherine McNamara said: "We spent several hours finding a song for her. Layla was a beautiful dancer.

"Saturday was emotional because she was the leader of the team. She helped the younger members, giving signals to the girls. We left her place vacant out of respect.

"She would have been a fantastic leader. She was pretty much born into the troupe."

Layla-Rose followed in the footsteps of her mum Kirsty Ermenekli, who has been part of Collettes Dance Troupe for more than 30 years.

Kirsty said: "Saturday was very hard for me and my family. We were there for our eldest daughter Melika and all Layla's team. Our baby girl would have wanted us to go.

"Collettes means so much to me as I've been part of the troupe for 31 years. Layla loved dancing. Her confidence grew all winter and she blossomed into a beautiful, confident dancer.

"We are so thankful for the support of family and friends as well as Collettes and the rest of the troupe world."

She added: "We want to raise awareness about the symptoms and types of meningitis that exist."

On the day Layla-Rose died the first sign that the illness may have been meningitis B was at 2pm, and only two hours later her heart gave up.

Resident Karen Brewster, who went to watch the troupe, said: "It was a very emotional open night for the Collettes but also a fantastic night. All four teams did an amazing job and I am so proud of them all."

Amanda Marland said: "It was a night of mixed emotions, from excitement to sheer bewilderment and upset at losing our precious Tots leader and friend to all the girls.

"I was in awe of the turnout and support, not just from local teams but also from teams as far as Stoke-on-Trent and Northwich who all came together to support the family and the Collettes."

Layla-Rose's parents Kirsty and Ricky gave each tot a teddy bear and good luck balloon. The whole family turned out to cheer on their older daughter Melika, who performed with the Tinys group.