A LOLLIPOP man who brings his neighbours together for a dance session during the coronavirus lockdown will be attempting to create the longest socially distanced dance chain in Ardleigh.

In April, Graham Cole, of Colchester Road, Ardleigh, decided to lift his neighbours’ spirits with a half-hour dance every Sunday evening.

Mr Cole, 58, site manager and lollipop man at St Mary’s Primary School, asked his neighbours to come out to their driveways or front gardens and dance while he plays music.

“Inspired by an appeal to dance along to S Club 7’s Reach for the Stars, I got my speakers and music system out and played it in front of the school,” he added.

“I played a few more songs and people were dancing along to Macarena or YMCA.

“Everybody enjoyed it so much so I carried on doing it every week.

“Residents come out dancing from five to 85 year olds, about 50 to 60 people living on the street.

“It’s worth doing it as you see the joy on everybody’s faces and it’s a lot of fun.”

Mr Cole, who calls the sessions Ardleigh ‘Arf’ Hour, said this Sunday will mark the tenth occasion so he decided to attempt to do a special dance challenge.

He said: “We’ve got the pathway taped up so everybody can sit at a safe two metre distance.

“I also told my older neighbours they can sit on a chair, so everybody can be involved. It’s quite a challenge but I’m attempting to do the longest Oops Upside Your Head dance with the community, here in Ardleigh.”