ROCK ‘n’ roll is so cool right now, you’d think we were living in the 50s.

For Strictly Come Dancing fans, the jive is one of the highlights each week.

And for jive enthusiasts, teachers and seasoned experts Mark Vincent and Lin Dunmore, it really is the best.

The pair have been dancing their hearts out in dance halls and on stages for more than 38 years.

However, they have not always been dance partners.

But the duo did meet at one of these dances back in Colchester.

Mark said: “Lin was 13 when she went to her first rock ‘n’ roll dance in Halstead.

“I was 15 when I went to my first at Severalls in Colchester.

“We originally met a long, long time ago when we were both involved in the scene.

“We lost contact and both of us got married to different people and then quite a few years back, we bumped into each other again.”

Their love of the 1950s goes way back to when they were youngsters.

Ever since listening to their parents play the classic records from the decade, Mark, 53, who is an electrician, and Lin, 50, who is an accountant, have become absolutely obsessed with all things 50s.

The couple are now together and Mark said: “It all started off with the music and everything has grown around that.

“It is sad to say, but we almost live in the 50s.

“We have got a 50s car, traditional 50s furniture from the period in our house and we do this seven days a week.”

They knew the period was cool amongst hipsters and the baby boomers wanting to remember the glory days of their youth, but when they set up a jive dance class in Braintree just over a year ago, they had no idea just how popular it would prove to be.

Mark, of Halstead, said: “We started the dance classes up as we had so many people ask us to teach them and we didn’t have enough time to teach them one to one, which we had been doing for the past 17 years, so we made a decision to open a dance school.

"It is a great fun way of keeping fit, learning to move differently, meeting new people and getting to know a new social group which can even meet up once a month at our dance club on a Saturday night.

“The older people at the classes have lived it and some of the youngsters love the stories they have to tell.

“I remember one class we were talking about a Bill Hailey tribute band and one of the members told us that they had seen him in 1963.

“It is amazing what stories people have to tell.

“We have people in the class who have seen Elvis Presley in the flesh.”

Dancers of all ages and abilities are invited along to enjoy an old fashioned boogie at the Bocking Arts Theatre.

It is a perfect venue with its sprung dance floor and art deco interior.

The couple also raise money for charity with special 50s themed events, they perform at Witham’s famous Empire Diner, and even travel around Europe teaching at weekend workshops.

Mark said: “If we could bottle confidence, we would make a killing as most people who think they can’t do it can - they just need confidence and careful handling.

“We try to make classes as relaxed as possible and have a good band of people helping us when we have a couple struggling to learn a move.

“You don’t have to have a partner we have spare people who can be a lead or a follower - we cater for all.”

“It is just so much fun.

“At times we sit down and wish we could give up the day jobs and do this 24/7.”

For more information about the classes, contact Mark on 07949169433.