Although we are living for longer than ever women in the UK live to 82 on average and men to 78 three-quarters of people aged 65 and over are reported to be living with a major illness.

As we approach old age, we are more susceptible to health risks such as arthritis, dementia such as Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, strokes and other cardiac conditions.

Many of the effects from these common conditions associated with old age can be eased with exercise and the Government is keen to encourage a more active lifestyle for older people.

The Government's White Paper Choosing Health: Making Healthy Choices Easier from 2004 revealed only 16 per cent of people aged 65 to 69 took the recommended amount of physical activity decreasing to just six per cent of those aged 75 and over.

To help increase these figures, the Lifestyle Opportunities For Older People (LOOP) in Lewisham is just one of the organisations working alongside local health authorities to offer activity classes and events for the retired.

Via grants and its own fundraising, LOOP is able to offer free or highly subsidised activities such as chair-based exercise, line dancing, walking sessions, swimming and tai chi.

The activities are teamed with daily lifestyle and health advice and held within the community at church halls and community centres to help keep costs low for the people taking part.

Helen Bloomfield is LOOP's project manager. She says all the classes help raise resident's fitness levels as well as having great social benefits.

She said: "The classes are very popular and our oldest member is 92.

"Tai chi has been very popular recently," Helen added. "It really helps to combat trips and falls by improving balance and co-ordination."

LOOP's exercise programme is specially tailored to prevent further deterioration of health, limiting injuries, muscle wastage and the incidence of falls, which can have severe complications for the elderly, especially for those suffering from osteoporosis.

KTB Pilates and Therapy Ltd in Dartford also offers an exercise programme ideal for the over 60s. NHS patients are often referred to the classes run by Katie Ballard by their GP.

Katie said: "The perception is exercise is for the young and the fit, but this isn't the case.

"Pilates helps to improve mobility, tone and posture and is great for improving back pain and general joint aches."

She added: "Our yoga helps to improve mobility and relaxation and our low impact body conditioning classes help to prevent the loss of bone density and therefore good for osteoporosis."

For information on LOOP visit looplondon.org