IT WAS a double celebration for a city ice skating club.

Dozens of past and present members of Southampton Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club swooped on the city to help two of the group’s presidents celebrate a landmark birthday.

Ron Bartley and Chris Dempsey both turned 90 this year – the same age as the Queen.

Chris, who was born in Westfield Road, in Regents Park, Southampton on May 7, 1926, joined the club with his children Karen and Beverley while they were at school.

After lessons at the club costing seven shillings and six pence each, Beverley became a star skater, representing Britain in international figure skating competitions.

Chris became a committee member at the club in 1978 before he was made competition secretary in 1985.

The married Bitterne grandfather then served as chairman for eight years from 1987 to 1995 and was later made life president.

Chris is also noted for his work painting scenery for ice shows until Southampton Ice Rink closed in 1988.

Ron, who also turned 90 this year, became a president of the club in 2002, having been made vice president in 1982.

Before getting the top job at the club, the dad-of-one had been chairman of the Skate Electric International Organizing Committee and of the National Skating Association Ice Figure Committee.

He also helped organise the European and World Ice Skating Championships.

More than 60 past and present members of the Southampton Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club travelled from all parts of the country helped the pair celebrate the occasion at a party organised by the club.