A group dedicated to providing educational, creative and leisure activities for people not in full-time work has been set up in Radlett.

The University of the Third Age (U3A), which started more than 30 years ago and has more than 275,000 individual members in 850 branches in the UK, has come to the village.

An inaugural meeting held on Tuesday, June 12, at Vision Hall Christ Church, Radlett, welcomed more than 170 people.

According to one of the organisers, Sylvia Cohen, the aim of the meeting was to decide on whether there was a need for the group, which would be known as the Radlett and District U3A.

She said: "People came just to hear what would be involved and to vote on whether to set up a group. The enthusiasm was obvious and the vote was carried unanimously.

"Following a question and answer session there was a distinct buzz of anticipation in the hall. "There is a positive need for a new branch, with neighbouring groups in the area already having to put a hold on their membership. "A steering committee was put in place to continue creating the infrastructure of this new group with the support from members of Bushey U3A and key officers from the parent head office who look after U3A’s across Hertfordshire and the East of England.

"The start of a group in Radlett looks as if it could be a resounding success."

Monthly meetings are planned for Tuesdays, with the next sessions on July 10 and August 14 at Vision Hall, Christ Church.

For further information about the group contact Sylvia Cohen on 01923 856500 or sylviacohen@ntlworld.com or Richard Kirk on 01923 857601 or Richard@oakfieldradlett.fsnet.co.uk.