SHE was the experienced dance teacher, he was the older man eager to learn new moves.

When Jack Earley first took lessons from Doreen Redmond in the 1960s, it began a love affair with dancing that never went away.

Now, more than 40 years after they shared their first dance, Jack, now 91, and Doreen, 72, took to the floor again in an emotional and poignant reunion.

In front of an audience of Doreen's dance class members, the pair waltzed around the newly opened community hall at Mansel Park Pavilion in Millbrook.

Jack, who won countless tournaments with Doreen in the 1960s, said: "I started dancing with Doreen 40 or so years ago when I first took it up."

"She taught me all the different dances and I used to love going along to her lessons.

"Then I moved from Freemantle to Totton and although I used to ring her for a chat we didn't see each other for years and years.

"Then recently I saw an advert in the paper for Doreen's dance classes and I thought to myself I had to get involved.

"She was amazed to see me still knocking about at my age.

"Doreen then rang me and asked me if I'd like to come along to celebrate the opening of the pavilion and of course I said I would love to."

Shortly after the pavilion was opened by Hampshire athlete Iwan Thomas, Jack and Doreen shared their first danc for more than 40 years.

"I love everything about dancing, especially with Doreen," said Jack, of Calmore Road, Totton.

"It keeps you agile, I love the music and I love to interpret the music through dance.

"Once you get into the dancing rhythm it's a lovely feeling."

Doreen, who has been teaching dancing in Southampton for more than 50 years, added: "It was quite a shock when Jack got in touch with me and said he was still dancing, but it was great to hear it too.

"It is just nice to see someone of Jack's age still enjoying dancing."