It could be a scene from Billy Elliot, with ballerinas practising their dance routines next to boxers sparring.

But it just goes to show what a little neighbourly help can do.

The two unlikely groups have been thrown together after the roof of Rox School of Dance and Drama in Hove Business Centre was ripped off during last week's storms.

The school's three studios were completely flooded and it looked as if the dance, drama and singing classes for all 400 of its pupils would have to be cancelled.

However ZT Fight Skool, which operates from the unit below the dance school, stepped in to help by allowing the school to hold its classes at the gym.

Sophie Amison, the school's principal, said: "I was absolutely horrified when I saw the damage. When you've spent so long building up a business it is devastating to see.

"It was also really hard for the children as they had nowhere to rehearse and many of them were taking part in the Brighton Festival this week and others have exams to practise for."

Miss Amison, who founded the school in 1991, added it was a relief when Sol Gilbert, the owner of ZT Fight Skool, offered to let the dance school share his premises.

She said: "It's so good when other businesses come to help you. When Sol saw the roof literally hanging off the back of the building he asked if there was anything he could do for help.

"Coral greyhound stadium has also given us a studio. Everyone has really rallied around.

"It is great to see two different worlds working so well together and you never know - some of our dancers might become interested in boxing or vice-versa."

Mr Gilbert said: "We always see the students leaving their classes smiling, laughing, joking and happy so when it looked like the business was going to have to stop for a couple of weeks I offered them some of our spare space.

"I just had to rearrange a few of my classes but it was the neighbourly thing to do.

"The guys here are good guys and there is a nice vibe around here so they haven't minded the classes being here.

"It's quite nice to see something different. On one side you've got the boxing and the other side, the dancing. It's kind of like a Billy Elliot set up."

Miss Amison is still waiting for loss adjusters to visit the premises but hopes the repair work will be carried out during the Easter holidays in time for the school to reopen for the new term.

She said: "We are going to keep business as usual. Against all of the odds we are going to keep going. The show must go on and it will."

Were you helped by neighbours after the storms? Leave your comments below.