The Dartford branch of a charity promoting the health and wellbeing of older men has held its first open day.

After the official launch of Dartford Men’s Shed in April, the group welcomed prospective new members to a unit at the Orchards Centre on May 31.

The branch is now 13-strong and can count on the support of Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, Mayor Councillor Avtar Sandhu and Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council Mayor Coun Sue Butterfill.

All three turned out on behalf of the group, which began as a movement in Australia aimed at helping older men make new friends and find fulfilment by doing practical tasks together.

Dartford Men’s Shed hope to move from their temporary home at the Orchards to a permanent one at the Royal Air Force Memorial Hall in East Hill come August.

Branch chairman Darren Riley said: "It was wicked. The people we have are just amazing.

"They have had shedloads of adversity over the years and they are probably not getting the recognition they deserve so to be a part of their rehab and confidence building will be amazing."

Visit dartfordshed.moonfruit.com