Exercise classes aimed at people over the age of 55 have been given a boost in Warrington, Runcorn and Widnes ahead of lockdown restrictions easing in the middle of May.

Purple Gecko Community has secured £6,300 from The National Lottery Fund which will provide Mature Movers dance and chair-based fitness classes to men and women.

Adult exercise classes can restart indoors from Monday, May 17 in line with government guidelines and dance practitioner Samantha Hickey can’t wait to deliver the sessions.

She said: “I provide dance and chair-based fitness to music from the 60s, 70s and 80s to anyone over the age of 55.

“It’s a fun, aerobic workout for 45 minutes followed by a cup of tea and a catch up.

“It’s important to encourage and help older people get back to exercise classes and socialise after lockdown, especially if they have been shielding because of the pandemic.”

Classes will be held every Wednesday at 11.30am and every Friday at 10am at Whitecross Community Centre in Warrington.

There will also be sessions at Frank Myler Pavilion in Widnes on Tuesdays at 10am and Wednesdays at 10am as well as Mondays at 1.30pm at Ditton Community Centre in Widnes and on Fridays at 10.30am at Murdishaw Community Centre in Runcorn.

The 45-minute sessions, which will cost £1, can be booked by visiting www.purplegeckoacademy.co.uk or by emailing info@purplegeckofitness.co.uk as places will be restricted for the first few weeks until social distancing rules are lifted in June.