A SUPERFIT grandad says the secret of a long healthy life is simple: "You've got to roll with it."

AlthouM-Vgh Alan Ralphs will be celebrating his 70th birthday in a couple of weeks he's still a roller-skating fanatic.

Every month Alan, of Musgrave Road, Heaton, dons his roller skates and heads for rinks at Altrincham and Clayton Green, near Chorley.

But the sprightly pensioner says the rough and tumble of speed skating is not for him. Instead he prefers to wow onlookers with a dazzling display of dance skating.

Alan said: "I had skates when I was a youngster and I've been dancing on skates for the past 36 years.

"I've never had a lesson and it's all about enjoyment and exercise. We're always being told to keep fit and skating's one of the best ways.

"It's a good chance to get out and keep going. As far as I know I'm the oldest person who goes skating but I don't mind at all.

"There are lots of youngsters who skate so it means that I'm not just mixing with people of my own age and feeling old."

While back-flips and somersaults don't feature in Alan's repertoire he rates his performance of the Viennese Waltz as his highlight.

And although many of his contemporaries are satisfied with a less taxing game of bowls or dominoes he says he never worries about injuries.

He added: "Of course you fall over when you're skating but the important thing is to keep relaxed and you won't hurt yourself.

"I have only been injured once when I wrenched my knee badly when I fell over, but that's years ago.

"I can't be bothered with this new in-line skating craze. I think it's rubbish and I'll be sticking to my skates with a wheel at each corner!"

And Alan says he wants to see a new roller rink opened in Bolton after the famed Navada skating hall on Spa Road was destroyed by a fire in 1985.

He said: "When I go skating I see about 20 people who used to go to the Navada. I'm sure if a skating rink was opened in Bolton it would be very popular.

"I don't see why I should give the sport up. The day that happens will be when I turn over and die."

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