Dressed in a red blouse and black cardigan, 86-year-old Patsy Tidy was all smiles as she was led around the dance floor by Dolores DeMoochy.

Mrs Tidy was just one of many people who enjoyed the tea dance with musical entertainment provided by 1940s singing trio, the Hotsie Totsies.

The dance, at the Priory Shopping Centre, Dartford, was organised as part of Silver Sunday, a national day aimed at combatting loneliness and bringing generations together.

Tiffany Evans from the centre said: “Patsy lost her husband last year and was up dancing all day. It was really nice to see that the event got her out and meeting new people and enjoying herself.”

Silver Sunday was launched in 2012 by The Sir Simon Milton Foundation after a report discovered more than a third of people over 75 said they were lonely.

The aim was to celebrate older residents and to help them get out and about and meet new people.

For Halloween the centre will be holding an arts and crafts day where children can make their very own trick or treat goodie bag and then fill it with goodies on the spooky trail around the centre.