Twice the number of people expected attended the inaugural meeting of the Ledbury branch of the University of the Third Age.

Spokesman John King said around 100 people filled Wellington Heath Memorial Hall.

"Overall, it was an extremely successful evening," he said. "I don't know what this says about the Ledbury area but it was very encouraging."

In total, 42 interest groups were identified and leaders were found for 17 of these. Popular subjects included computing, walking and creative writing.

Mr King said: "John Masefield High School has given us permission to use their IT suite for computing."

He was keen to stress that although Wellington Heath's Memorial Hall will be one venue for the Ledbury branch of the U3A, other venues will be used as the group is for the whole of the Ledbury area. Some interest groups will be meeting in private homes.

Mr King said: "We shall also, hopefully, be going out into surrounding villages."

The next meeting of Ledbury's full U3A group takes place at the Community Hall in Lawnside Road, on November 20, at 2pm.