A SUPERFIT grandmother has been recognised for her dedication to keep fit classes as she celebrated her 90th birthday.

Mary Slater has been a regular user of the Dolphin Centre in Darlington since it first opened in 1982.

The grandmother-of-two, of Swaledale Avenue, Darlington still attends weekly senior citizens keep fit classes where she helps out with the routines.

She also swam competitively with the Darlington Masters Swimming Club until recently when she gave up driving and could not attend the evening classes by bus.

In addition, Mrs Slater helps organise walks and social events, as well as promoting the yearly Swimathon with her husband, Jack.

Despite her energetic efforts, Mrs Slater said she did not see herself as a remarkable person and described herself as being “extremely lucky” to be so fighting fit at the age of 90.

She said: “I enjoy coming here because I do some teaching and I enjoy seeing all the ladies here who are absolutely wonderful – and the men of course, although we only have three.”

Mike Crawshaw, Darlington Council’s head of leisure services, presented Mrs Slater with a large bouquet of flowers for her birthday and praised her enthusiasm for keeping active and the contribution she has made to the Dolphin Centre.