A GROUP of dancers – some in their nineties – are proving that age is just a number.

They are members of the Over Forties Castle Point Intermediate Dance Club which meets weekly in Hadleigh.

Three members of the club are in their nineties – Sid Lawrence, 90, Ron Jones, 96 and Iain Shirley, 92 – and Ernie Brentnall will be 90 later this year.

The club organised a special Twenties evening to celebrate its older members.

Everyone joined in dressing up and dancing to the DJ in an assortment of music from quickstep to waltz, the rumba to the Charleston.

The four men were all presented with a gift and a cake at the event.

The club, which has 110 members, is an important part of their lives.

Ron, of Leigh, said: “It is the one part of the week that I can say I look forward to.

“It means a lot to me coming here.

“I have been a member for four or five years and it is a really important part of my life.

“It keeps you active and I have made a great bunch of friends.

“I have been dancing since 1935. The quickstep and rumba are my favourite types of dancing.”

Other members described how dancing was the favourite part of their week and the one thing they look forward to.

Dance partners Jenny Willson and Ivor Jones also enjoy being a part of the club.

Ivor said: “It is great way to meet people and have fun.

“Dancing is also good at keeping you balanced and stable as you get older.

“Coming here is much better than just sitting at home.

“For an hour every day it give you the chance to get out of the house.”

Jenny, met Ivor through dancing and and they have now become a couple. She added: “It is also a great opportunity to dress up.

“Some woman don’t get the chance as they get older, but you can do your hair and make-up and wear a nice dress.”

The group started in September 1973 when it was originally for single members and met in the John Burrows Hall, in Hadleigh.

It then moved in 2011 to Runnymede Hall, in Kiln Road, Hadleigh.

Secretary Margaret Hayter said: “We are now in our 43rd year.

“In helping the over 40s, who are now at this point much older, we are still fit and able to dance three hours a week on a Thursday evening, enjoying a social and enjoyable, healthy activity into our latter years.”

Once a month, the club holds a special themed night, with previous themes including a nautical night as well as vicars and tarts.

The group is headed by a committee, under chairman Carol Hughes.

The club runs every Thursday from 7.30pm until 10.30pm.

Entry is £5 for members and £6 for visitors, with tea and biscuits at the interval.