A LIVELY Latin soundtrack had hips swaying and shoulders shimmying at a historic Oxford shopping arcade.

Passersby could not help but smile as well-known Zumba instructor George Martini took two free taster classes at the Covered Market. 

Crowds gathered as the vibrant display unfolded in the venue's central square this afternoon, with members of the public joining in with some of Mr Martini's regular classmates.

The Botley dance instructor leads the warm-ups at the annual OX5 Run, and appeared on television dating show Take Me Out last month.

His sessions in the city centre today were organised by the Dancin’ Oxford festival, and were the second of seven dance tasters in the Covered Market over the next three weekends.

Among those taking part was Jill Stopps, from North Oxford, who joked that she also goes by the name 'Jill Never Stopps'.

The keen Zumba-goer, who is a regular in Mr Martini's classes, said: "I am a complete and utter Zumba-holic. Zumba has taken me from being a very shy person to one who is quite confident.

"The atmosphere you get in any Zumba class anywhere you go in the world is electricity, vibrancy, smiles on faces and laughter."

The youngest participant in the taster sessions was three-year-old Amina Boston from Abingdon, who was walking past with her mum when the music made her stop and dance.

Many others also joined in, quickly picking up the high-pace steps as onlookers filmed on their phones.

Dancin’ Oxford is organised by Oxford City Council with support from Arts Council England, and brings dance workshops, events and performances to Oxford every year.

Councillor Mary Clarkson, the council's executive board member for culture and city centre, said: "We are bringing art and culture into the Covered Market to encourage more people into the jewel in the crown of Oxford’s retail offer, and to buy some of the many high-quality goods.

"We wanted to create cultural events in the central market space – and there is no better organisation in Oxfordshire to create pop-up dance events than Dancin’ Oxford.

“Dancin’ Oxford has called on a fantastic array of local dancers for this pop-up dance festival, which should bring something new and exciting to Oxford Covered Market."

Check out our photographer's full gallery of images from the event tomorrow.