It was an era when actress Betty Grable was known as "the legs" ... but these two women gave her a run for her money at a special party night.

The Choo Choo 1940s Club, which meets once a month for a fun-packed dance, moved to a new venue this weekend and the joint was rockin'.

The organisation was set up two years ago and originally met at the modern Pitsea Leisure Centre.

But members fancied something a bit more authentic and tracked down the hall built in 1947 which belongs to St Chad's Church.

Saturday was the first party held there and the venue was given a nostalgic touch with parachutes and flags.

The 120 dance fans who turned up came from as far afield as Manchester, Sheffield, Cambridge and Suffolk to let down their hair.

Julie Gordon, one of the founder members, said: "It really is great fun. It's not all Vera Lynn, you know. We dance to boogie woogie and music brought over by the Yanks during the war."

Many of the members turned up in uniform for the bash and the women made sure they wore their nylons - despite the rationing.

There was even an authentic 1940s blood bank ambulance parked outside to get visitors in the mood - still with its interior and equipment intact.

The ambulance proved so fascinating to one Pitsea couple who were walking their dog near the hall that they signed up on the spot.

Julie said: "The club attracts all age groups. We have lots of members who are in their 20s and 30s."

Everyone is welcome to the party nights which begin at 7.30pm on the last Saturday of every month. There is no membership fee, just turn up and pay at the door.

New venue - Maureen Sangster and Julie Gordon welcome members to the Choo Choo 1940s Club's new meeting place

Picture: ANDY PALMER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.