The Dengie’s University of the Third Age (U3A) celebrated its first anniversary with a birthday cake and more than double the number of members the group started with.

The group was started by Maxine Nower, 53, of Ramsey Chase, Latchingdon last year and celebrated its first anniversary at Jacks Centre Indoor Bowls Club, Latchingdon.

Mrs Nower said: “It went really well, we had a birthday cake and more than half our members attended.

“We also got some new members as well so we are growing."

Maxine hope the group will grow even bigger and better and said she hopes they might reach over 100 by next October.

She said: “When we started we thought if we got to 50 by next year we would be doing well, so we have outdone that.

“As long as everyone is happy, it’s really doesn’t matter if we grow.”

If anyone would like more information about joining the U3A group, call Maxine on 01621 740 024 or email her at dengieu3a@hotmail.co.uk