SUPERGRAN Phyllis Richardson is proving that life begins at 90 with a keep-fit regime that would deter people half her age.

The grandmother-of-six loves nothing more than to spend two hours in the gym using the treadmill and cycle machine, topped off with 20 lengths of the pool at the leisure club in the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

And staff are so impressed with the nonagenarian, who has been a member of the club for several years, they have presented her with one year's free membership.

Twice a week she spends two hours using the hotel 's fitness facilities with her 86-year-old friend Albert Griffin, of Barry Street, Burnley.

"I love keeping fit, and the social side is very important as well," she said.

"You meet so many nice people. It's fantastic getting the free membership. I was gobsmacked "

Karen France, leisure club manager, said: "We knew she was approaching 90 and she has been a member here for many years so we decided to give her free membership for her birthday.

"She's lovely, she really is. She puts some of the younger ones to shame to be honest."

Phyllis's love of all things fitness began 42 years ago with a visit to the Champney health farm in Hertfordshire.

After the three-week diet and exercise regime she began attending keep fit classes in Burnley, a regime she kept up for several years.

Next came yoga classes with her next door neighbour, and when the class grew and new teachers were needed, Phyllis was one of a group of people selected to front the workout.

After an eight-year teaching stint Phyllis taught keep-fit classes.

"It all stemmed from there," she said. "Then my neighbour said she had joined the club at the Dunkenhalgh and said she would take me on a free ticket."

Phyllis, a widow, has even become a role model for her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

"They say I'm an inspiration to them, which is nice at 90. Our philosophy is if you keep yourself fit you can cope with anything, but once the body breaks down disease takes over."