Dancers from across the borough gathered in Wimbledon town centre this week to mark the start of this year’s celebrating age festival.

The festival, organised by Merton Council and Age UK Merton, will run from September 2 to 29 offering residents aged over 50 the chance to take part in more than 100 events.

Activities vary from Zumba, patchworking and Tai Chi to Pilates and line dancing and there will also be opportunities to join regular walking groups, a mosaic workshop or story-time sessions with children and grandparents, as well as opportunities to learn about local history and have help with knitting.

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Sue Tickner, festival organiser, said: "Our older residents offer so much to society, as group organisers, carers and grandparents.

"Their experience of life is important to pass on to our younger people. "It’s also important to highlight the fact that getting older is something that should be enjoyed. "It often means you have more time free to spend on enjoying extended family as well as finding new interests and developing fresh skills - something this festival is all about."

Councillor Linda Kirby, Merton Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: "We’re now in our eleventh year and it just gets better every time.

"We always have a lot of fun and want to encourage as many of our older residents as possible to join in the celebration."

For more information on the festival’s schedule pick up a brochure from any of Merton’s libraries, community centres, churches, the Civic Centre in Morden or Age UK Merton, call 020 3328 0329 visit merton.gov.uk/celebratingage.

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