A PAIR of talented pensioners scored top marks in an exam, after learning to line dance in classes organised by Age Concern Barnet.

Pamela Lerner, 72, and Jeanette Blackmore, 66, who attended the classes at Grahame Park Community Centre, both achieved honours, the highest grade in the Country and Western line-dancing stage 1 exam.

Awarded by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, the exam comprised two dances to salsa and disco music, which the ladies chose.

Mrs Blackmore is a resident on the estate and has only been coming to the classes for a few months.

She said: "It was a little bit nerve-racking, but I enjoyed it."

Retired from the sales industry and married for 35 years with two children, she did not tell her family that she was doing the exam last month, because she was nervous.

She says the dance classes, which use disco, salsa and rumba music, have helped increase her confidence, because they are tailored in such a way that a dancing partner is not needed.

"It’s good exercise. It gets you out of the house and I have also made some friends," Jeanette added.

Pamela Lerner, from a recruitment background, used to dance previously, but had to stop due to back problems.

She discovered line-dancing while attending other fitness classes at the centre and says she enjoys the class because it is good for socialising and has helped her recapture her love for dancing.

"It is great and terrific for bringing people together," she added.

The dance classes are part of a three-year fitness programme called Say Go! run exclusively by Age Concern Barnet and funded by Sport England.

Its aim is to provide fitness activities throughout the borough to peope aged over 55 for a subsidised fee.

Lisa Dubow, Age Concern Barnet’s development manager, says the funding will end next October, but they hope to continue running the classes because there are not many like it in the community.

"It is a good way of keeping active and it is a social thing where people can leave their houses and get to meet other people," Miss Dubow added.

Jean Simpson also passed her exam, but wasn't able to attend the award presentation.

The ladies were taught by Italia Conti-trained professional dance tutor, Pat Woor, an adjudicator for the British Dance School, who runs The North London Dance School.

"I thought it would be a really nice thing to do. It was very enjoyable and I really loved it," Mrs Woor said.

"It has been very rewarding and they are a nice bunch of ladies."