Taking a tumble can prove fatal for older people but an Oxfordshire County Council exercise scheme is helping pensioners prevent it.

Older and Bolder classes are run across the county, giving over-60s the chance to keep fit and improve their strength and balance.

The scheme works with Age Concern and the NHS to reduce the number of people admitted to hospital for treatment for falls the leading cause of injury-related death in those aged 75 or over.

Members of the Didcot Older and Bolder group gave a demonstration in Oxford's Westgate Shopping Centre, with the aim of encouraging more people to join.

Heather Butler, 79, of Ernest Road, Didcot, started attending the classes after a couple of serious falls and said they had been a great help.

She said: "I would say it's helped me a lot. I've now got better balance and I don't fear walking so much I just feel more confident."

County council community development officer Barbara Jordan said the classes offered gentle exercise under the guidance of a trained tutor. She added: "We want people to have independence and the fitter they can keep themselves, the longer that can happen."

Val Kir, who leads the Didcot group, in the town's Civic Hall, said: "I would encourage any older people to come along to a class and see if they enjoy it. People need to be aware of their bodies and what they can do, as well as enjoying themselves."

As well as potentially fatal consequences, treating falls is costly. Statistics show that the total cost of treating all fractures each year in the UK is the same as the predicted cost of London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.

Consultant Adam Darowski said: "A third of people over 65 fall every year and 50 per cent of people over 80, and once you've had one fall you're likely to have more.

"But there are various ways of preventing it and this scheme, as well as the work we do, is helping to reduce that figure."

For more information about Older and Bolder classes in your area, call Mrs Jordan on 01844 217904.