A NEW singles group for men and women aged 35-60 to share social activities has been started in Marlborough.

Its first meeting will be a wine tasting evening on Thursday June 9, 8pm, in the function room at the Crown Hotel in The Parade.

The group is the idea of two mothers who have found themselves partnerless.

"One said: "It is not the same when you are single, whether you are male or female. We know there are a lot of people out there in this situation and we would like them to come along."

The women stress that the main aim of Single Status is to make friends rather than be a dating agency.

Since they started putting flyers around the town they have started getting "quite a lot" of interest.

Further events planned for the summer include a tapas evening on July 7 and a barbecue on August 11.

Any single person aged between 35 and 60 who is interested is asked to contact Francesca or Lynne on 07770 757481 or e mail singlestatus@btinternet.com. They are asking anyone interested to phone and book rather than just arrive at events so that catering can be planned.