A KILMACOLM lady’s poise and elegance while walking won her a coveted UK title with one of the country’s best loved women’s institutions.

Fitness fan Sandra Crawford has been a devoted member of the Women’s League of Health and Beauty – now known as The Fitness League – for the last 30 years.

After years of hard work, she was named the overall winner of the Strictly Walking contest at a celebration event in London’s Royal Albert Hall, where she met singer Sophie Ellis Bextor, above right.

In the days before aerobics and spin classes, poise training offered women an opportunity to exercise together for the first time. A class still runs every week in Gourock.

Sandra said: “I couldn’t believe it when I won. It is all about posture.

“My husband Sandy and my daughter Angie surprised me by turning up to watch. So that made it extra special for me.

“It was a great day at the Royal Albert Hall. They put on the most fantastic show with members from all over the world.

“It was great to meet Sophie Ellis Bextor too. She was lovely.” To get to the Royal Albert Hall, Sandra had to strut her stuff at a qualify event in Perth.

She was then one of ten finalists in London, taking the title after impressing judges with her style and grace.

Sandra first joined the league while living in Inverness, where she caught the fitness bug.

She continued to go to local classes when she moved to her husband’s home town of Kilmacolm.

She explained: “I wanted to keep fit and I really love this kind of exercise.

“I go to two classes now, one in Gourock and one in Paisley.

“Obviously there is much more for women now to chose from now, but I would recommend ladies give this a go.” The former Women’s League of Health and Beauty was set up by Mary Bagot Stack in the 1930s and had nearly 200,000 members during its heyday.

Gourock teacher Grace Gilchrist, pictured right with Sandra, said: “We are so proud of Sandra.

“She did tremendously well but our classes in Gourock are open to everyone.” Fitness League classes have been running in Gourock for 30 years and for the last 15 have been based at Old Gourock and Ashton Parish Church Hall on Mondays at 10.30am.

Information can be found by visiting www.thefitnessleague.com