WHEN businessman Martin Merrick was invited to compete in a charity Strictly Come Dancing he really entered into the spirit of the event.

So much so that Martin decided to commission a light-hearted promotional video to boost interest in the event, brush up his dance moves, and improve his fitness.

The Strictly fundraiser is being organised by the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice to raise cash for its Evening Times-backed Brick By Brick Appeal to raise £15million to build a new hospice.

The event, at the Glasgow Hilton on March 16, will see Martin and five other figures from the world of celebrity and business in Scotland compete with professional dance partners.

Martin, MD of Volvo Bus and Truck North, who is partnered by professional dancer Kay Lang, began rehearsing in December and is taking the challenge very seriously.

The video, by Rumble TV of Milngavie, was filmed in his office in Cardonald with a cast of 30 professional dancers from Kay's Blok Dance Troupe and more than 20 Volvo truck and bus technicians.

Night-shift workers were bemused to be asked to carry out repairs while wiggling to the beat of the music and to see a company vehicle featuring in the Greased Lightning-themed performance.

"I have never done anything like this before," admitted Martin.

"After the first training session with Kay it was clear I had some real work to do. So I have hired a personal trainer to get me through the routine without dropping Kay."

It is Martin's hope that the video will boost his text votes and online donations at www.justgiving.com/Martin-Merrick.

View the video at http://vimeo.com/user16489209/martin andkay