THOUSANDS of dancers around the world gathered to perform steps ­choreographed in Glasgow.

The Big Dance Pledge - created by Scottish Ballet - saw people take part in the international challenge.

In Glasgow, hundreds joined together in the Emirates Arena to perform the four-minute dance.

Catherine Cassidy, associate director of education at Scottish Ballet, said: "The Big Dance Pledge has been a wonderful way for Scottish Ballet to engage with thousands of people across the world.

"We wanted to create a lively, exciting dance which used percussion and dynamic movements to get people moving and having fun together."

Around 350 people - from toddlers with their parents to over-60s - filled the Emirates with dance.

Local schools Alexandra Park Primary and Balornock Primary also took part with 820 pupils in total performing.

Two simultaneous performances at either 1pm or 7pm local time in each country saw more than 64,000 participants in more than 500 locations become part of a wave of dancing across the world.

This includes 240 groups in Scotland.

In Edinburgh, hundreds of people danced on The Mound Precinct at the sound of the One O'Clock gun, others danced at The Cross in front of Linthligow Palace while 250 people from Skye Dance performed on the Skye Bridge.

In London, 200 dancers led by English National Ballet stopped shoppers in their tracks at Westfield Shopping City.

Dancers from Sadler's Wells' renowned Company of Elders also performed at the venue and Scottish Ballet ­professional dancers provided the prelude to an evening performace of Romeo and Juliet with a foyer performance of the Pledge.

The Big Dance Pledge was performed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Engand, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malaysia, ­Ivory Coast, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, ­Poland, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Sri Lanka, ­Taiwan, Ukraine, United States of America, Vietnam and Wales.

The dance, which was choreographed by Lorraine Jamieson, Creative Associate at Scottish Ballet, showcases a variety of dance styles including Highland, Bhangra, and freestyle.

The Get Scotland Dancing campaign is supported through National Lottery funding.

Project manager James Allenby added: "As the first major event of the Get Scotland Dancing programme, we hope to show the world that dance is creative, healthy and fun."