AN ELDERLY dance teacher is showing no signs of slowing down after foxtrotting his way to his 80th birthday.
Brian Anderson has been teaching folk how to waltz and salsa for over 50 years and says, as long as he is still fit enough, he plans to keep going for at least another ten.
"I believe you get better with age," said the 80-year-old who teaches in St John's Church Hall, The Avenue, Tadworth, every Monday night.
He explained: "As you get older you can do things so much easier and without even thinking about it.
"You are able to get the best out of the class without too much trouble."
The octogenarian, who lives with his 70-year-old wife Christine, has been putting members of the WEA (Workers' Education Association) through their paces for more than seven years.
But he is worried as numbers are beginning to dwindle.
He said: "I don't know why that seems to be the case, I don't know whether it's because people don't have the money or that the interest isn't there.
"A lot of people die off and people aren't replacing them. I haven't had anyone new join for ages."
Being a lover of dance since his 20s, Brian can't understand why people wouldn't want to take it up as a hobby.
He said: "It lifts your spirits, like the gym would I suppose, but you don't get the social aspect that you do at the club. It also keeps you fit and because it's technical it keeps your mind active, which in turn could help ward off Alzheimer's.
Brian, who worked full time as a bookbinder, first learnt to dance in the 50s and was told by a dance teacher that he would make a good instructor.
"I always used to like helping people in class so I studied and that's what I did."
He added: "It's a challenge and it's creative, in the same way it's a craft like bookbinding.
"And if people are getting pleasure out of something that you are teaching then that pleases you too."
Ballroom dancing takes place every Monday at St John's Church Hall, Tadworth, from 7.30 to 8.30pm. It costs £50 for 10 weeks. Beginners welcome. For more information call 01737 225100.
