An Ilkley danceaholic has proved she is sew good by ripping up the ballroom floor and claiming bronze level in her recent exams – all at the age of 62.

Sylvia Moore, owner of Rips and Zips in Wells Road, scooped bronze in Ballroom and Latin during her exam at Sutton Village Hall.

Mrs Moore, who was born in Ilkley, has been dancing almost every night of the week for the past 12 years. She attends social dances at The Hollygarth Social Club in Ilkley and has lessons at Sutton.

She said: “I think I’m a danceaholic! I was a nervous wreck for the exam, but I’m delighted I’ve passed them. It’s always been an ambition since I started ballroom dancing to gain the high distinction.”

Mrs Moore began with lessons in salsa and has been learning ballroom dancing for the past three years.

She said: “I learnt to rock and roll when I was about 12 years old with my friends. We used to go to the King’s Hall. When I got married, I used to dance with my husband and everyone used to think it was amazing watching us.

“We went to a dance competition at Christmas-time about three years ago and we won best couple.”

Mrs Moore makes her own dancing outfits in a sewing room in her house. She admitted to enjoying BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing competition and gets some ideas for her own costumes from the show.

Mrs Moore has been running the shop, which deals with clothing repairs and alterations, for 18 years, but still finds time to go dancing at every spare moment.

She also organises charity dance events and has raised thousands of pounds for different organisations, including Candlelighters.

She added: “Dancing is a fantastic social life. You can meet as many people as you want and it is just great fun. It is amazing exercise and is much more fun that just running on a treadmill.”