The Afternoon Tea Dance had to leave South Parade Pier in Southsea because of a broken heating system.

Dancers were forced to waltz and tango in their coats and scarves until the decision was made to move to a community centre in January, which saw attendance figures drop.

But now the dance, which has attracted hundreds of people, has returned to the pier after the owners fixed the heating system and started a building refurbishment programme.

Pat Andrew, a co-organiser of the dance, said: 'We are so happy to have returned.

'The pier is such a lovely venue, so grand and perfect for a tea dance.
'No-one wanted to leave in the first place but we just couldn't carry on the way things were.

'Most of the dancers are elderly, and we couldn't let them dance in the cold. But now the heating is fixed and the place has had a refurbishment, we're just so happy to have returned. Dancers who stopped coming after the move, are now coming back.'

Up until January the dance was a tradition on the pier for almost three decades, running every Wednesday afternoon.

The news that the event had to leave its home left dancers devastated and tears were shed as people took to the floor for a final time.
The tea dance moved to Buckland Community Centre but many dancers stopped going and the grandeur of the event seemed to be lost.
Now dancers are celebrating and the spirit of the tea dance has truly returned.

Len Jarman, 79, of High Street, Cosham, said: 'It feels like we've come home. Everything's back to normal at last.
'It wasn't the same when we left the pier and everyone was just desperate to go back.

'The place is magical.'
The tea dance will now run at the pier, in the Gaiety Suite, every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm.

The organisers have also arranged an Autumn Ball this Sunday to celebrate their return.

The event will run from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are £10 and will include a supper.

Dancers are invited to dress up for the occasion.
To buy tickets visit the pier's box office, or call (023) 9273 2283.