They might be young at heart, but this group are self-titled Coffin Dodgers – and they’ve got the T-shirts to prove it.

Jokes about not appearing in the Times Guardian’s obituary columns during their weekly get-togethers at Queenborough Social Club gave them their name.

While others of their age might be planning for more serious events, the Coffin Dodgers focus on fun rather than funerals and are looking forward to days out, dancing and lots of laughter.

The group – made up of a hardcore of 12 members, mainly from Queenborough – has a combined age of 849.

It was founded by Tom Gower, 75, with friends Peter Dunkley, 72, Allan Watts, 73, Jeff Andrews, 77, Will Williams, 72, and Barry Fitzgerald, 66.

Bringing up their grand total are Peter’s wife Kay, 67, Jeff’s wife Kath, 71, Allan’s wife Margaret, 71, Tom’s wife Gloria, 73, Will’s wife Sheila, 73, and Barry’s fiancee Beryl, 59.

And, despite their maturity, they reckon they can show youngsters a thing or two about having a good time.

They spoke out after seeing a piece in the Times Guardian’s Around The Clock where some of their contemporaries were called coffin dodgers by three boys, who were whizzing along the beach at Minster.

Kay said: “We saw that and thought it was very disrespectful and wondered where their manners were.

“Don’t despair at being called coffin dodgers – be proud and show those ill-mannered lads just how much us oldies can have fun, more so than they seem to have.”

The group’s name was cemented when Tom brought back specially labelled yellow Coffin Dodger T-shirts for the men from a holiday in Spain – with one exception.

Kay said: “My husband Peter is the biggest and they didn’t have a yellow one in his size, so he’s got a luminous green one. He lights up the car like a buttercup when he wears it!”

A recent purchase by former town mayor Jeff shows that it’s never too late to take up a new hobby.

“He’s just bought a motorbike,” said Kay. “We’re all young at heart. Every week is a party for us.”

And the group is also proof that there’s no such thing as being too old to find love.

Kay said: “Barry got down on one knee a few weeks back at the club and proposed to Beryl – she’s the baby of the group at 59!”