He is known for his fancy footwork but Strictly Come Dancing star Len Goodman was in fine voice too when he lent his vocal support to a singing club in line for a National Lottery award.

Len, who is head judge on the hit BBC show, quick-stepped his way to Age UK North West Kent's day centre in Northfleet to praise the work of the Silver Song Club.

The group, which meets for a singing session once a month at the centre in Coldharbour Road, has been nominated for a National Lottery Award.

Len, 69, who lives in Greenhithe and has dance schools in Gravesend and Dartford, was delighted to join in one of their sing-a-longs.

The former barrow boy turned salsa supremo said: "I think that the biggest problem as you get older is loneliness. It's so easy to end up just sitting on your own lonely and fed up, so anything like this is wonderful.

"It gets older people out with people of a similar age, they can have a cup of tea and a bit of a sing-song.

"I realise that the Lottery helped to pay for the Olympics and other huge projects but it's these little things, these grass root clubs that are most important.

"When we buy tickets we are just doing it for ourselves to win one million quid but we forget that so much of our contributions go to projects like this."

Len was also keen to promote the work of the day centre itself. "I'm far more keen on local projects because it's where I come from.

"I have passed this place hundreds of times and never been in here but what a lovely place."

Those taking part in the Silver Song Club, which is run by the Sing for Your Life charity, were equally pleased to see Len, whose visit had been kept a secret.

After bursting into renditions of 'Oh What a Beautiful Morning,' 'Lambeth Walk' and 'You Are My Sunshine', Len pulled out the obligatory 'seven' scorecard.

But he was feeling his usual generous self when he added: "It's a 10 from Len because I think you have done fantastic."

He was a little less complimentary of former Strictly contestant Ann Widdecombe's dance skills, but added: "Everyone can sing and everyone can dance but some can dance better than others and some can sing better than others.

"I haven't got a great voice but I do it with gusto."

The National Lottery Awards recognise the inspirational impact of Lottery-funded projects. The Silver Song Club has been shortlisted in the Best Health Project category and is in line to win £2,000.

The programme visits residential care centres, homes and hospitals across the south east and south west of England helping to improve the health and well-being of older people living with long-term health conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The Folkestone-based charity which runs Silver Song Clubs is now calling for support to help them win on the big night which will be on BBC1 on September 11.

To register your vote click here or call 0844 836 9703. The closing date is midnight on Wednesday July 24.

Gravesend and Dartford Messenger reporter Julia Roberts, who was taught to dance by Len when she was a child, got the chance to learn a few more steps with the footwork maestro.