A pair of retired bakery workers have raised £50,000 for a children's hospice through the power of dance.

Peter Burgess, 74, and wife Ruth, 78, from Stonehouse Road in Sprowston, Norwich, have hosted monthly charity country dances in two Norfolk villages since 2006.

The events at Lingwood and Mulbarton village halls have been in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

The charity is building a new £10m hospice at Framingham Earl, Norfolk, to replace its Quidenham base, which will be called the nook.

So far just over £7m has been raised and some of the £50,000, raised by Mr and Mrs Burgess has gone towards the nook appeal.

Mr Burgess said: 'Ruth and I really enjoy our time raising money for such an important cause, but we simply couldn't have achieved what we have without the backing of people like Ron from Mulbarton village hall, Barbara and David who help with the tombolas, Melvyn for his kind donations, John for compèring, Maureen for the food, Ross and everyone else for their continued support.'

They generate at least £500 a month through the dances.

Mr and Mrs Burgess received a wooden plaque from EACH at their most recent Mulbarton dance in November as a thank you.

EACH fundraising manager Carol Plunkett said: 'Peter and Ruth really have gone above and beyond what we could ever expect of any of our fundraisers, showing great dedication to the cause over many years.

'We really can't thank them enough for their efforts.

'All the money they've raised has made and continues to make a huge difference to children with life-threatening conditions and their families across Norfolk and the rest of East Anglia.'

The Sprowston couple, who have two children and three grandchildren, plan to finish their fundraising on April 14 2019, when Mrs Burgess turns 80.

For more information about EACH and the nook appeal visit www.each.org.uk.

The nook appeal was launched in November 2014 by the Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron for EACH.