THEY say you are never too old to get in shape.

And that was certainly the case for a group of plucky pensioners from Middlewich who ditched their easy chairs to hit the gym.

Four residents in their 80s from the Willowmere retirement village in East Road were sponsored to take part in this year’s Sports Relief.

Ron Ellison, 89, Frank Edge, 86, Dennis Walsh, 89, and Bill Goulding, 85, all beat their targets on Wednesday set by trainer Karen Hodgson.

“We’re always trying to keep residents active and mobile but this was their idea,” said events manager Dawn Billington.

“Since coming here they’ve become so active. It’s nice to get rid of those preconceived ideas that mature people just sit around and drink tea.

“They may be retired from work but not from life.”

Frank lead the way by completing circuit training on the treadmill and multi-gym followed by steps and balance exercises beating his 10 minute target.

Ron was set a target of 100 rows on the rowing machine and managed 200. He has also been walking a mile every other day for a fortnight to help with his balance problems.

Dennis completed a two-mile sponsored walk and Bill successfully travelled the equivalent of three miles on the gym bike.

They had been training for almost a year and the event raised around £200 for Sports Relief.

Fellow residents Bill Moss, 92, and Arthur Jones, 89, also embarked on the mission to get fit but were unable to take part in the sponsored activities on the day.

“I don’t think any of us had seen the inside of a gym before this,” said Frank.

Trainer Karen added: “I set them a target and they blasted it. They worked hard and I’m really pleased.

“It’s definitely been a talking point. At first they were so slow and I had to hold the bar with them.

“Now the amount of weights they use and their speed has changed completely.

“A lot of younger people don’t want to exercise but my lads are at the gym every single week.”

Bill said: “We couldn’t have done it without her. Getting my feet in the stirrups was a big job at first.”