A MOVER and shaker is wiping the floor with her fellow dancers, despite turning 99.

Elsie Neville celebrated her birthday by going for a spin on the dance floor at her regular sequence dancing class.

Mrs Neville, from Southend, dances every week and has been a member of Club 60 for 30 years.

She regularly dances with partners much younger than herself and particularly enjoys the square tango.

Her dancing friends and the group organiser arranged a surprise tea party and dance yesterday to mark her 99th birthday.

Pam Wilkinson, chairman of the group, said Mrs Neville is an excellent dancer and does all different styles.

She said: “Elsie is one of the original members from when the council ran the club. She is a lovely lady and she makes all her own clothes.”

Mrs Neville gets the bus to the club, for people over the age of 50, at Queensway House, in Essex Street, Southend, every week.

She said: “I love to dance and I’ve had a lovely day.”

The active pensioner worked as a welder on aircraft during the Second World War and then worked in the Civil Service for border trade and civil aviation.

Mrs Wilkinson added: “She is very happy, she has had a lovely afternoon. It was a total surprise when I got the cake and flowers out.”

Club 60 was taken over by volunteers four years ago after Southend Council withdrew funding. It also holds classes in line dancing, belly dancing, tai chi and yoga. The club has 400 members and also runs day trips and holidays. Call them on 01702 613562.