IT is one of the best-known dance routines immortalised on the silver screen by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray.

But far from a romantic ending, an attempt to recreate a scene from the hit movie Dirty Dancing left a pub-goer in hospital with a leg break that will keep him off work for months.

Gary Mackay heard the sickening sound of his leg snapping after a female friend jumped and tried to wrap her legs around his waist in an Inverness bar.

The 28-year-old barber needed a three-hour operation to insert two bolts and a metal rod in his leg.

The incident happened as Mr Mackay, from Inverness, was enjoying a Saturday night out with friends listening to a local covers band at the Johnny Foxes pub.

A woman, described by Gary as a friend of a friend, decided to try an ambitious dance move straight out of the 1987 film.

He said: "I heard my leg snap. I knew it was broken straight away - my foot just flopped to the side. I was screaming, I was just in so much pain."

Doctors confirmed he had broken his leg in two places at the ankle and knee and he endured several days in hospital as well as a lengthy operation.

Mr Mackay said he had not heard from his dance partner since the accident.

He said: "The worst thing is she's tiny - it's just the way she caught me. She's about 5'4" and she's skinny.

"She's not been in touch but she's told my workmate she's mortified and sorry."

Don Lawson, owner of Johnny Foxes, said: "There was a mix of horseplay and alcohol which didn't end well. A man and his friend were recreating a scene from Dirty Dancing. He fell funny which resulted in him breaking his leg.

"We hope he makes a speedy recovery."