THE Wheelers have spun their last track after 14 years of hosting a fortnightly tea dance in Royal Wotton Bassett.

Gordon, 83, and Gwen, 82, of Whitehill Lane in Bassett, called time on their administration on Thursday after raising more than £20,000 for Swindon charities with their dances.

The event, held every other Thursday, was first taken on by the pair in 2001 when it had just 14 people attending, but has been handed over in good health.

Mike Oakes will take on the dance with a booming clientele of 50 dancers, some of whom travel from as far as Cheltenham for their fix.

Gordon, a retired telephone engineer, said they would leave the event with a heavy heart, but at the right time as their advancing years catch-up on them.

“We got so used to doing it: loading the car with the equipment, CDs and casing. We are getting past it,” he said.

“My eyesight’s failing. Generally we are disappointed in going, but the thing is, we didn’t want to end up on the floor.

“I have epilepsy and there was an increasing chance of me ending up on the floor and causing a scene.”

The Wheelers said they had little clue what to do when they first came on-board, but that was a blessing in disguise, according to Gordon.

“We made it into a fun dance because we didn’t know anything about any of it. We had a good start because we weren’t bothered with having to do this or that,” he said.

“At lots of dances you have to do certain things, but if you come to dance you want to enjoy yourself.”