IT WAS a right old knees up as Cockney rockers Chas 'n' Dave sent an appreciative audience Snooker Loopy at Swindon's Green Baize club.

The East End duo went down a storm at the Park South venue, with their madcap brand of rhythm and blues.

The dance floor was packed for the senior citizens' Tuesday Club Christmas party as Chas 'n' Dave veered from one hit record to another and usually sensible pensioners threw caution to the wind and took to the dance floor with wild abandon.

Particular crowd pleasers on the night were The Sideboard, Gertcha, and arguably their most famous single, Rabbit, which was their first top 10 single in 1981.

After the hour-long set, bass player Dave said: "They were a lovely crowd and we have been made most welcome here in Swindon.

"I am really pleased that everyone got up and danced, it was a great evening.

"The thing about our music is that it appeals to all age groups. We don't ever go out of fashion and that is why we are always touring."

He added that the group had just returned from a series of concerts in America to promote their new single, Flying.

"We went down a storm in America. I suppose it is something different to what you normally get over there. We're like pie and mash, simple and very London. But if it is good, it travels."

Drummer Micky Burt said that playing in a smaller venue like the Green Baize club was no different to playing in a larger venue: "Last week we were playing to hundreds of people at a student union gig and they were all dancing along.

"And this gig is no different really. It is all about giving people what they want. I think everyone had a good time."

Owner of the Green Baize club, Peter Payne, explained that the Tuesday Club Christmas party is a long standing fixture at his club, which is used as a venue for the pensioners' weekly social group.

But he added: "I have to say that this is the best year we have ever had.

"Chas 'n' Dave are a really class act. They really come into their own when they are playing live.

"It is just brilliant. Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves a great deal.

"Obviously they are a big name act and they were not cheap, but I am not doing this for myself, I am doing it for the people who use the club. They had a great time so it makes it worth the effort.

"What makes this club so special is that it has a real community feel. I have been running it since 1985 and I have tried to make it the best club in Swindon."

Members of the Tuesday Club and their invited friends and family were also treated to a buffet lunch, which of course included that most famous of Cockney delicacies, jellied eels.

Chas n' Dave have been together for 28 years after launching their career with their One Fing 'n' Anuvver album.

And more recently they group has been kept busy with a series of TV appearances, live shows and even running their own pub in London.

Next year Chas 'n' Dave plan to return to America to play a second series of dates in March.