A THIRTEEN-year love affair with a Worcester estate has seen one sporty pensioner abandon ideas of gentle retirement to continue her active community work.

Enthusiasm oozes out of Diana Morrison, who was the original community worker at Ronkswood Community Centre when it opened over a decade ago.

The 71-year-old, who has been officially "retired" for six years now, helps to banish the aches and pains of elderly and disabled residents at the centre through teaching her movement exercise classes.

"When I first came to Ronkswood as community worker in 1989, the estate had no real facilities whatsoever," said Mrs Morrison.

"I had a small office in Wells Road where Newtown Racing is now, and from there, I got together and set up groups for mothers and toddlers, a baby group and old people's group to cater for the area.

"I still make a 60-mile-round-trip to come and teach here. I've always had a warm welcome from the people on the estate and I really see it like a second home."

The purpose-built community centre cost £420,000 and was opened by county cricketer Phil Neale in February, 1991.

The estate had been without any facilities for nearly four years after the original Wells Road community hut was burned-out by arsonists in 1987.

It had stood on the site for 20 years and was a former RAF building bought from Hereford by the Ronkswood Tenants' Association, led by local resident George Drew.

After pioneering a range of community groups, Diana's skills were called upon again, when she was asked by the city council to set up classes and groups for Lyppard Grange Community Centre, which was built in February 1993.

Diana's latest venture Extend is held both at the centre and at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club in Droitwich Road.

The Ronkswood centre is still going from strength to strength and now operates a range of schemes from play schools and after school clubs to ballet, computer, football and art classes.