MORE THAN a hundred older members of the community enjoyed an afternoon of dancing and music at a tea dance yesterday.

Resident DJ Mr Wonderful provided the soundtrack while the dancers pulled out all their best moves at Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford Green.

Arts development officer Bonita Cattle, who runs helps run the monthly event for the over-50s, said: “It's a great event where people get to dance and listen to some fantastic music.

“We have anywhere between 120 and 150 people turn up, and they don't just come from our borough. We have them coming from as far away as Brent and Havering, it's very popular.”

She added that many romances had begun on the dancefloor and that every so often some of the more active dancers get a bit carried away.

Ms Cattle added: “We actually had to ban a couple of gentlemen, as they seemed to think it was a pick-up joint, which it's not.

“But lots of friendships are formed and people do get together. People have met here, got together, split up, and then started going out with other people. It's a real eye-opener sometimes.

“They're great occasions and there are real health benefits of dancing for nearly three hours, it's a great alternative to going to the gym, for example.

“It's also really good for people to involved from a social aspect as well.”

The dances run from 1:30pm to 4pm, and the next will take place on June 16, forming part of the Redbridge Dance Festival.

Tickets to the dances cost £4.50 and include refreshments. For more information call 020 8708 2854.