A SPRIGHTLY Ledbury pensioner celebrated her 90th birthday with a country dancing party.

Joan Brown, who lives on the Deer Park estate, invited 95 people to the event in Colwall Village Hall.

They included family and friends from Ledbury church, including Bill Rand, who was 90 in April. Bromyard-based band the Falconers provided the music.

"It was a lovely party and I hope I'm a good example to everybody else approaching my age," she said. "My friends say I danced every dance and I might have sat out one or two but I didn't think I'd still be dancing at the age of 90."

After the music each guest was given a booklet containing a history of Joan's life in photographs, and she cut a cake.

Friend Pam Warren said: "We look forward to a similar event when Joan and Bill celebrate their 100th brithdays."

Joan has been dancing since she started ballet classes at the age of six and enjoys both country and ballroom dancing.

She is the oldest volunteer at Ledbury Day Centre and goes along every Monday to help people there.