A Zumba class in the middle of a Bishop's Stortford cul de sac helped boost morale as well as fitness for its young, old and even canine residents.

The 30-minute workout gave householders in Highfield Avenue the chance to stretch their limbs and have a group dance to some uplighting music, including Proud Mary by Ike and Tina Turner, It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones and Abba's Waterloo – all while maintaining social distancing.

It was organised by resident Petra Bonich, a Zumba instructor for 10 years in Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Dunmow.

So on Sunday evening (April 19), around 30 people from the cul de sac, off Haymeads Lane, and neighbouring streets ventured out into the setting sun.

Petra, 46, said: "When you see everyone in front of their houses dancing, of all different ages from four years old up to a woman in her 80s, it was unbelievable.

"The atmosphere was amazing, with kids running round and even dogs running about as everyone enjoyed being outside. As soon as we were finished, people said 'Can we do it again next week!'"

So Petra plans to be outside at 6pm again this Sunday (April 26) for a 40-minute session. "It's like a boogie in the street, Zumba style.

"I was surprised by how good all my neighbours were. I kept it simple to start with but they all followed so well and, with the music being quite loud, people living nearby also came out to have a look and started dancing with us."

Gallery1