THEIR ages may range from their 60s to 80s, but it does not stop these golden oldies from enjoying a good knees-up.

The regulars at the Carter's Arms in Belmont Road, Astley Bridge, boogie at the pub until midnight every Thursday.

Leading the dancing is popular entertainer Howard Broadbent, who is always happy to perform his hit song The Blackpool Belle.

The song, which Mr Broadbent co-wrote with Farnworth performer Jimmy Smith in 1975, is about the train that took people from across Lanashire to Blackpool for Saturday dance nights between the 1930s and 1960s.

Mr Broadbent, aged 71, of Astley Bridge, said: "We used to go on the Blackpool Belle every Saturday night.

"On the way home they would take out the light bulbs and shut the curtains and call it the passion wagon'. It was quite steamy."

The Blackpool Belle was recorded by the Houghton Weavers and even reached number three in the charts in New Zealand in the 1990s.

Pub regular Sheila Jones, aged 70, is one of Mr Broadbent's "Golden Girls".

She said: "I used to go on the Blackpool Belle when I was younger, we all did. Coming here brings back fond memories."

Doris Lubman, aged 64, said: "There aren't many places for us to go now. We get left out because everything is for youngsters now."

Mr Broadbent has been performing at the Carter's Arms for the past three years, after being asked by pub landlord Alan Walsh.

Mr Broadbent said: "It's important for older people to have somewhere to go.

"We get left behind because there's often nowhere for us to go to listen to our music."