A NEW 'tea dance' session for over 50s in Okehampton is proving to be a huge hit.

The tea dance group is meeting once a month on a Sunday afternoon at Fairplace Church Hall.

The session, for the over 50s, has been set up to offset the closure of the day centres in the area, and gives people a chance to socialise during the winter months, while capitalising on the popularity of Strictly Come Dancing in the autumn and winter months.

Professional dance teachers John and Sonia Davies from Sidmouth have agreed to run the session.

Providing music from the 20s, 30s and 40s, they will teach basic steps for around 20 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits, and then social dance time.

The second Tea Dance session ran on October 25.

Jenny Beavon, who has helped organise the events on behalf of Time for Life, said: 'On the first dance in September we had 29 people and at October's dance we had 41.

'Next month we are expecting the Okehampton College memory café and their ambassadors as well, so if it continues to grow at this rate, we shall be looking for a larger hall soon! 

'It was another brilliant, life-affirming session with everyone joining in and thoroughly enjoying themselves. 

'We had one lady celebrating her 90th birthday with her family – she even got up out of her wheelchair for one dance with her husband. 

'People came from St Giles on the Heath, Broadwoodkelly and Crediton.'

The planned tea dances take place on November 23, December 21, January 25, February 22 and March 22.

If you are interested in attending, bringing a group or volunteering, call Jenny Beavon on 01822 810564 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]