A ping pong player is still batting balls over the net at 80.

Maldon man Norman Hayes has played in the Chelmsford and District Table Tennis League for 50 consecutive years and also competes in the Burnham and District league.

He has no intentions of hanging up his bat quite yet, despite a triple heart bypass in 2003.

Norman, who plays for a Maldon U3A team and Danbury Table Tennis Club, said: “As time erodes athletic components my standard has dropped, but I still enjoy the competitive aspect in the company of friends that I respect for their attitude and support.”