IT MUST come as a great surprise to many local people that in the same week as the Government is giving great publicity to the major health problems caused by obesity and lack of exercise that our local ballroom should even be considered for closure and demolition.

Dancing is marvellous exercise for people of all ages, but particularly for the older generation who are not into health clubs, jogging and similar forms of torture.

Keeping a good sense of balance is important as one gets older and this is one of the great benefits of regular dancing.

Apart from the health angle, the music is marvellous and it's a great social occasion. Anybody coming to a ballroom like the Astra quickly makes new friends.

There are some places such as church halls and village halls that have dances but there are now few places like the Astra where you can learn and where dances take place several times a week.

It is a marvellous asset for Poulton and for the whole of the Morecambe area. Long may it last.

Joe Sherwen, Morecambe.