A LONG-running exercise class in Prestwick has celebrated a major anniversary.

Keep Fit With Mags, founded by Mags McQueen (formerly Brown), had its 25th birthday last week.

Mags began teaching classes in Mickey’s Gym in Ayr in 1994, before moving to various venues in Prestwick, including the Broadway and the Space Place, and has been hosted in the 65 Club’s activity room for the last five years.

“I thought I was just doing it short-term to get some teaching experience under my belt,” Mags said.

“I had no idea I would be teaching for as long as I have.”

Mags still teaches four classes a week, with two each on Mondays and Wednesdays for women of all ages.

“There’s one girl who has been coming to me for the full 25 years, and there are many others who have been coming for well over 15 years.

“I see these people two nights a week for so many years, and you start to know about them, know about their family and become friends.

“For people who have just moved to Prestwick, it’s great because we’re all really friendly, you are made to feel very welcome.

“It is really a social night for a lot of people, you can come down a bit early, come and gather and have a chat.”

Despite the classes running for a quarter of a century now, Mags has no immediate plans to slow down.

“As long as I am fit and healthy, I’ll just continue.

“It is great to love your job, it’s great to have a job that just feels like having fun for a couple of hours.

“Maybe other circumstances around you change, and that means that maybe giving up is the right decision for you.

“But I will keep going until something like that happens.”

‘Keep Fit with Mags’ runs in the 65 Club’s activity room at 6pm and 7pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Individual classes cost £4, with monthly passes available. For more information, you can visit the website at www.getfitwithmags.co.uk.