They travel from far afield to foxtrot and quickstep their way around the dance floor, and now members of a local dance club can also celebrate a fundraising milestone.

The Wednesday Afternoon Tea Dance group, which meets weekly at the Delphi Centre in Sudbury, was originally formed in 2000 when a group of town residents were fighting to save a primary school hall in North Street.

Although the hall is long gone, the tea dance has not only survived but has gone on to flourish, and has raised more than £50,000 for local charities.

Yesterday afternoon, club members who come from such far flung destinations as Bishops Stortford and Frinton every week to dance, enjoyed a celebratory glass of sherry to mark the achievement.

Sudbury stalwart John Sayers, who runs the club said: “We have around 60 members and we charge a £3 entry fee which includes tea and biscuits - it’s surprising how that has added up.

“All of the money raised has gone to local good causes, like St Nicholas Hospice Care and the Kernos Centre.

“We have just passed the £50,000 mark and think that is quite an achievement.

“And the best thing is that we have raised all of that money while doing something we really enjoy - ballroom and sequence dancing.”

In recent months residents from nearby Chilton Croft and Red House nursing homes have been attending the tea dances, just to listen to the music.

Mr Sayers added: “It’s a great atmosphere and I think people are spurred on by the fact that they are also supporting local organisations.”