Great-grandmother Muriel Owen proves age is no barrier to exercise - she is still working out at 91 years old.

Muriel regularly attends Motorcise women's gym in Le Mans Crescent in Bolton town centre, and is urging other elderly people to follow her lead.

She celebrated her birthday at the gym where staff and members organised a surprise party, with sherry and mince pies. The grandmother of three, from Ladybridge, has been going to the gym for three years after eczema stopped her swimming.

Muriel, a widow, said: "I just decided I wanted to get fit. I used to really enjoy swimming and when I had to stop I wanted to carry on doing some exercise.

"I didn't want to go to a normal gym, which would be full of lots of young people jumping about, it just didn't seem like something for me.

"It's been great fun. It not only keeps me fit, it gets me out of the house and there's a good social side to it as well."

The gym is suitable for women of all ages and ability.

Manager Ann Wood said: "There's a friendly atmosphere and people can do as much, or little, as they like."