People of all ages dusted off their dancing shoes in Darlington this week as the popular GOLD Tea Dance returned for another year. 

Dance lovers waltzed their way into Darlington’s Market Square on Wednesday morning as the event, organised by Growing Older Living in Darlington (GOLD), got underway. 

Hoards of visitors showed off their fancy footwork during the event, which saw local trio The Lipsticks help attendees step back in time with a string of old hits. 

The Darlington GOLD Tea DanceThe Darlington GOLD Tea Dance (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

After a bleak week for weather across the North East, the rain thankfully held off for the event, which was sponsored by HC-One, the Kind Care Company.

This meant that plenty of smiling visitors were able to sit in the sun, tuck into some cake, and watch dancers make their mark in front of the stage. 

The Lipsticks even picked three of their favourite dancers of their time on stage to gift a prize to - although struggled to choose just three. 

Tea and biscuits were also donated to the event by Ringtons, which has traded in the town since 1920. 

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The fun was kickstarted at 11am with a mixture of traditional tea dance music fused in with some modern tunes. 

Darlington line dancing class The Texas Toe Tappers also took to the market square to get involved, while those watching on could tuck into free tea and cakes. 

The square was also filled with a range of information stands, including Home Instead, GOLD/Darlington Citizens Advice, the council’s Lifeline Services and hearing equipment team, Healthwatch Darlington, and the Foresters Friendly Society.