Frankly I am shocked that you have chosen to suggest that the image of a male dancer (Billy Elliot) is wimpish in an article on bullying.

It serves only to re-enforce negative images, in the press and community at large, of men dancing.

May I take this opportunity to remind you that a significant number of male dancers from Swindon have succeeded in this art form, attending schools such as Rambert Dance School, the Central School of Ballet, and Northern School of Contemporary Dance, to name but a few.

These and other men need to be very strong, athletic dancers with a high level of physical fitness and stamina who are far from wimpy.

Our work has constantly sought to challenge and change the type of attitude you have expressed, and while I agree these opinions still remain, to some extent, in the public eye, films such as Billy Elliot are a catalyst for the public at large to re-examine their attitudes and somewhat medieval viewpoints.

I'm sure you'll agree the wimpish male dancer is not a view we'd wish to promote, rather one we want to challenge.

Helen Cooper

Senior dance education and access officer

Swindon Dance the National Dance Agency for the South of England