IT MUST be something to do with the Hampshire air - if you want to stay young at heart this is the definitely the place to be.

Southampton not only boasts Britain's "Young at Heart" title-holder, but the two runners-up also come from the area.

Tap dancing grandmother, 69-year-old Jean Russell, of Raymond Road, Shirley, has waltzed away with the accolade of being the nation's youngest over-55.

Her two runners-up are 68-year-old Gordon Stone, of Northlands Drive, Winchester, and 62-year-old Ann Bayliss, who lives in Tottenhale Close, North Baddesley.

The search for the nation's most youthful over 55-year-old was launched by the Garlic Research Bureau, in association with Hofels Garlic Pearles. And Jean fitted the "young at heart" description right down to the toes of her dancing shoes.

A member of The Ladybirds dance troupe - which has appeared with comedy star Michael Barrymore - she took up dancing to keep fit.

In an interview with the Daily Echo in 1996, Jean told of how she first became a tap dancer at the tender age of 63.

She said: "I said I was too old to start tap dancing. Then my daughter's friend found a class at Bassett Social Club and I thought why not give it a go."

She has never looked back. With the Ladybird line-up she packs in 100 shows between October and May.

"It certainly keeps you young," said Jean who also finds time to make costumes for the dancing troupe.

Jean's other ingredients for keeping young at heart are swimming and holidays.

"I have always felt young at heart. If you are fit and able then age shouldn't be a barrier to anything," she says.

After examining a national survey the judges decided Jean was the ideal choice.

Her positive and outgoing attitude to life, her health conscious lifestyle plus her good works and energy made her an ideal role model for today's older generation of go-getters.

With the title goes a weekend for two in Paris.

It is especially apt that Southampton should have the most young at heart senior citizen, for the city is playing a major role in the International Year of Older Persons, which encourages the older generation around the globe to make the most out of life.

Jean, too, has no plans to slow down - she has vowed to be dancing into the new millennium. Dancing also figures high on the keeping young list of Ann Bayliss. She is a regular at line dancing sessions and says: "It is good exercise and keeps you healthy.

"There are always plenty of laughs which help to keep you young."

She also enjoys swimming, gardening, DIY, walking, travelling and is learning a foreign language.

Other runner-up Gordon Stone, a keen fly fisherman and dedicated Portsmouth Football Club fan, believes living in Hampshire helps to keep him young.

"It is a nice part of the world and near the seaside."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.