WALES Millennium Centre is welcoming some of the world's finest dance companies this season in what is set to be a jam-packed and diverse programme including flamenco, ballet, contemporary dance and hip hop.

It features contemporary dance from the likes of Matthew Bourne's production of Edward Scissorhands, to classic ballet with Norwegian Ballet's The Sleeping Beauty to a hip hop version of Romeo and Juliet. Other shows to look forward to include Companhia de Dana Deborah Colker 'No' (Knot), an emotional performance of Ricochet Dance's Man and Woman and Vincent Dance's Broken Chords which features live string music.

Performances will take place in the main auditorium, the Donald Gordon Theatre, as well as WMC's second and smaller theatre, the Weston Studio.

A diverse season awaits audiences which will feature classical, creative colourful and imaginative dance from local and international dance companies which will entertain young and old.

The season will start in the Donald Gordon Theatre with a performance by the mastermind behind flamenco guitar, Paco Pena, with Flamenco in Concert, followed by the long-awaited dance version of Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands, which hits mid-March.

From one end of the scale to another, a mix of street culture is next on the agenda, which will prove a real treat for street dance and hip hop lovers. Rumble ends its UK tour at WMC which is an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet like no other.

Making its exclusive UK debut at WMC in June, the Norwegian National Ballet brings its brand new production of Sleeping Beauty for the first time to Wales.

To end the season on a high at the Weston Studio, Independent Ballet Wales will bring its stunning new production of Geoffrey Chaucer's classic of English Literature The Canterbury Tales.

To book tickets please contact the Wales Millennium Centre ticket and information office on 08700 40 2000 or visit the website www.wmc.org.uk