A SWINDON charity with more than 1,000 members is celebrating its 40th birthday this weekend.

Swindon u3a is hosting a volunteers morning from 10am to midday on Saturday to thank everyone who has helped keep the good cause going.

Swindon has more than 100 groups offering a wide range of leisure activities - learning languages, musical instruments, dancing, singing, family tree research, arts and crafts, creative writing, book clubs, walking groups, yoga, science, games, and more.

The groups also arrange days out and visits to the theatre or concerts.

Chair Gill Brain said: "We rely on our volunteers to keep the u3a up and running and we are fortunate in Swindon to have so many people who give up their time to do this.

"This is an opportunity for us to let them know their help is appreciated and to meet and share ideas."

No qualifications are needed to join and there's no age limit. The national charity formed in 1982 is aimed at people no longer in full-time employment who want to make new friends, learn new things, and have fun.

It is run entirely by volunteers and financed by members' subscriptions.

Visit www.swindonu3a.org.uk or call 01793 614629 between 10am to noon on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.