A BURNLEY couple banned from a dancing group because they were too young have found somewhere else to tango.

Ballroom fans Martin and Janet Ruane, of Duke Street, Briercliffe, spent 10 months learning dance moves at the Rawtenstall Senior Citizens' Association before being thrown out.

But today the group's president Rita Marriott defended its decision to ban the couple -- because they were not pensioners.

Aged just 52 and 47 respectively, the couple were asked to leave the St Mary's Chambers-based group as its public liability insurance only covers the over 60s.

Martin, brother of Rossendale opera sensation Sean Ruane, was even asked to sing at the association's Christmas Party on December 10.

The couple, who previously danced in Bacup, were first spurred into hitting the dance floor by the BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing, with the new series featuring celebrities including GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips and England cricketer Darren Gough.

They said they will honour the committee's decision but will now be stepping out with a dance group at Whitewell Bottom.

Janet blasted the decision was "ageist" and said the club should change its "ridiculous" rules.

She said: "Out of the blue we were taken to one side by the organiser who said there had been a lot of grumbles because the club is really for pensioners and they didn't like us coming. We asked the organiser why she hadn't told us earlier and she said they couldn't pluck up the courage.

"They said we were not old enough -- we were too young.

"It's ridiculous. It wasn't as if we were hurting anyone or stopping anyone else from doing it.

"All we wanted to do was enjoy our dancing."

But president Ms Marriott said it was a "storm in a teacup" and added that Rossendale Senior Citizens' Association had to take out public liability insurance that only covered people of senior citizen age.

She said: "It was a committee decision. We are not ageist -- our group is for pensioners to help them get out and meet people of a similar age. We wouldn't try and go to youth clubs.

"There isn't a lot for pensioners in this area. We have more than 120 members and a waiting list because it is so popular and we are limited to space.

"I don't know why there has been such a fuss. We don't need the trouble at our age, we have been through enough."