A dance class for the elderly held its last waltz yesterday afternoon after 30 years.

Dance class leader Nelly Toomey has been running classes at St Andrews church, off Leeming Road in Borehamwood, for 12 years.

The classes, aimed at elderly women, teach ‘old time’ style dancing to its members – which in recent years has been steadily decreasing, leaving only eight women left.

After one woman had a serious fall resulting in a severe hip injury, Mrs Toomey decided it was time for the group to come to its natural end.

She said: “I have been running the group for 12 years after the last class leader died, but now one of the ladies had a fall and it was all getting a bit too much for us all.

“It has been a lot of fun being a part of the group and we have had some great laughs, but now it was just time for the group to end.”

The 94-year-old added that the woman will still keep in touch – although perhaps through less active means.

Celebrating the group’s 30 years, members came back to St Andrews Church yesterday afternoon for their last waltz, along with tea and cakes provided by Mrs Toomey’s daughter-in-law.