With a team of 30 dress makers, and 30 years' experience, a Croydon-based company has cornered the market in producing the dazzling costumes for the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.

Dance Sport International (DSI) first became involved in the show in its second season, making dresses for professional dancer Erin Boag.

But now, in Strictly’s 10th year, the firm is producing them for the entire female cast, as well as for the French version.

Malcolm Hearn, co-owner of the company and son of dancer Geoffrey Hearn, said: "Our designer Vicky Gill has made dresses for a number of pop stars and it was originally through her that we got the deal."

With more than one dress worn per show, Mr Hearn estimated before the finale in December his team would have made approximately 400 outfits.

He said: "It is a huge exercise and this year is always hectic but we have a great team."

A further line of work comes from legions of the show’s fans hoping to buy a copy of their favourite contestant’s dress.

Mr Hearn said: "People can have the exact same dress if they want. We get quite a few people calling up to find out if we can make them a copy."