THERE are few better examples in the world of the benefits of staying active as you get older than Her Majesty the Queen, who has just celebrated her 90th birthday.

A constant picture of good health, she rarely has to cancel or postpone an engagement due to illness.

Her lifestyle, including certain of her leisure activities, means she has a steady regular amount of exercise each week as well as mental stimulation.

Walking and horse-riding are just two of her well-known leisure activities these days while her role of monarch involves many public walkabouts, state occasions where she wears heavy ceremonial clothes and jewellery, standing at investitures and walking the long corridors of her royal homes.

While some of these activities are confined to the lives of the monarchy, there are plenty of opportunities for the members of our ageing population to get and stay active.

According to research on the new BBC series with Angela Rippon called ‘How To Stay Young’ there are things people can do that affect how they age and how long they live. The study found that:

1. Smoking, stress and weight play the biggest role in ageing

2. To keep active it is important to build up muscle

3. Dancing is one of the most effective activities for your heart, body and mind.

To demonstrate how people can stay active and healthy as they get older Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, together with the support of the University of Worcester, the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the Worcester U3A, is staging its fifth annual Active Age festival in the city.

The free one-day event on Saturday June 11 from 10am to 3pm at the University of Worcester Riverside centre on Hylton Road, Worcester, is designed to inspire anyone over 50 years old to start getting more active and show the range of local organisations and activities that are available.

There will be over 20 different activities for people to try out for free with taster sessions run by qualified and experienced activity leaders.

The activities include a variety of dancing from solo ballroom, line dance, zumba gold and even seated dance, golf with one of Britain’s Top 12 professional coaches, short mat bowls, table tennis, indoor archery, strength and balance exercises, tai chi, chess, energy healing, relaxation, reminiscence experience plus many more.

Those attending can be complete beginners or returning to an activity they used to enjoy or are just looking for a group to join.

Many local clubs and activity providers such as Worcester Model Engineers, U3A Worcester, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Partnership, University of Worcester over-60s programme, Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Simply Limitless Wellbeing Centre and Walk for Health, will be available provide information and answer questions.

Any activity taster sessions are each 30-40 minutes long and are run by experienced qualified instructors. Anyone aged over 50 is encouraged to take part and there is no upper age limit. Any health issues or concerns should be discussed with the instructor, and it is recommended that flat shoes and comfortable clothes are worn.

With inexpensive refreshments and lunch available throughout the day, people can make a day of it.

And to conclude the activities people can stroll over to the riverside to see Worcester’s Royal flotilla of 100 decorated boats which will be sailing past on the River Severn celebrating the Queen’s Official 90th Birthday. People can then return to the Arena for a Queen’s Birthday Tea Party, and watch the ‘Come Dancing’ exhibition dances.

Anyone is welcome to join in dancing on the day. Any couples who would like to perform a dance please call Sandy on 01905 740950

Bronwen Fragiotta from Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “The Active Age Festival is a great tool for us to highlight how important it is for people to stay active as they get older. Keeping active and getting involved in these sort of social clubs helps not only make many people feel younger and fitter but it is also a great way to socialise and meet new people.

“In its fifth year now, this event is a great way to showcase all the different organisations across Worcestershire that provide activities for the older audience. We encourage anyone who would like to find out more about getting active to come along and give the taster sessions a go!

“We really hope that we can attract lots of people to make it is as successful as previous years.”

For more information on this event and the activities please call Bronwen on 01905 740950.

According to the local sports partnership

• Being active is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellbeing - no matter what your age it is never too late to start.

• You will start to feel better within weeks of being more active, you can meet new people, make new friends and it doesn’t even have to cost anything.

• Being active can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

To stay healthy all adults should:

• Aim to be active daily doing at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week

• On two or more days a week do strength exercises that work all major muscles.

• Older adults at risk of falling should also do activities to improve balance and coordination on at least two days a week

For any type of activity to benefit your health, you need to be moving quick enough to raise your heart rate, breathe faster and feel warmer.

For more information about active ageing and local courses please contact the Sports Partnership on 01905 855498 or email sphw@worc.ac.uk