FIVE hopefuls shimmied their way through the bar final of a national pole dancing competition on Thursday night - although a male student bucked the trend by taking the crown.

Crowds packed out the dance floor of Butlers in Frogmoor to cheer on the finalists who had spun, slid and shook their way through four heats to reach the bar final of the annual Polecats competition.

But BCUC rugby student Craig Morrison, 21, - the only man to take part in the final - wowed the crowds with his acrobatic routines to Tom Jones' You Can Leave Your Hat On, and scooped himself £300 worth of vouchers to spend on celebratory booze.

Also in the running was Leonie Knowles, 22, Zoe Hirst, 21, both fellow BCUC students, Jo Robinson, 29, and Elizabeth Charlesworth, 23.

Craig, along with runner-up Leonie, will now go on to compete in the regional finals that are being held at the bar in two weeks time.

Craig, from Jersey, said: "I didn't think I'd even win the heat, it was a total shock. I loved it. It was a good laugh but I didn't think I'd win."

When asked about his chances in the next round, he added: "Everyone's got a chance and that's the way I'm going to look at it. I'm just going to have fun as I did tonight."

The regional final will pit Craig and Leonie against finalists from across the country, but Butlers manager Lou Murison is confident they will go all the way. She said: "The quality that we have seen tonight is so much better than in the heats. They have all raised their game so much I think they're ready to compete against other bars.

"Feedback from customers has been amazing. It's very positive. They love the competition. Everybody's really up for the party atmosphere."

If Craig and Leonie's bootyshaking routines get them through the next heat they will land themselves a place in the national finals and could win themselves a brand new Mini.