Ballroom dancer Penny Brion, 88, born in Kingscourt near Rodborough, to have story featured on Woman's Hour

It is barely a month since she had pioneering life-saving cardiac treatment but Penny Brion is already dancing again, giving sprightly Strictly Come Dancing presenter Bruce Forsyth a run for his money.

The fleet-footed octogenarian, who grew up in Nailsworth, recently took to the dance floor with ballroom world champion Warren Boyce in Bournemouth, where she now lives.

Penny, a former Land Army girl, is planning to team up with Warren for a fundraising dance show in aid of the cardiac unit at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital where she underwent a radical new procedure to unblock three arteries in her heart.

And earlier in the year Penny, who has raised more than £35,000 for charity, took centre stage at the UK Dance championships.

She credits her zest for life to her mother, Ethel Gilliard, who was a well-known foster mother in the Five Valleys.

"I was brought up in a one room cottage where candles were used for heat and a well was the only way to get water," she said.

"We had a table and chairs and that was it - myself, my sister and two brothers all used to sleep on the floor.

"Later on we lived in Nailsworth and my mother fostered more than 40 children.

"She was so kind - she used to tell me that if you managed to put a smile on someone's face then you have achieved something."

The glamorous grandmother, who has survived a heart attack and two strokes, can do 100 high kicks and has dancing lessons several times a week.

She credits her friend, the late Dorothy Huntley-Flint - who also happened to be Richard Branson’s grandmother - for introducing her to ballroom.

"The wonderful thing is almost anyone can dance - even if you don't have a partner," she said.

"Dancing is a good way to keep fit, it is good for your posture, it is very sociable and it helps to keep you young at heart."

Penny’s story is due to be featured on Woman’s Hour this autumn at a date yet to be arranged.