Age is but a number for these Dorchester women who, after decades of friendship, still enjoy socialising together.

The six women started school together as infants and have been meeting up twice a year for almost 30 years.

In this academic year, Evelyn Kingman, June Williams, Pam Matthews, Dora Dicker, Nancy Wilcox, Betty Bascombe will all turn 90 and have been regularly meeting since a school reunion in 1990.

Evelyn Kingman said: "Six of us have been meeting every six months for a reminisce and a meal together ever since 1990 after we attended the 50th anniversary of Dorchester Modern School in Coburg Road which opened in September 1940."

Dorchester Modern School was formed by boys and girls from Colliton Street, Maud Road, the girls’ school in Icen Way and from other schools from the country districts of Dorchester.

It has changed its name over the years to Dorchester Secondary, Castlefield and is now the Thomas Hardye School.

The original building still forms the centre part of this school.

The women's latest meet-up was in late October when they headed to the Brewers Arms in Martinstown.

Mrs Kingman said: "We feel it is wonderful that we are still fit and able to meet up twice a year to catch up."