It’s never too late to start again - as David Hoffman proved at the age of 80.

The pensioner, of Browning Close in Larkfield, has always liked to sing, but spent his working life first as soldier fighting insurgents in Malaya, then as a personnel manager for Peak Frean biscuits and finally as a steward at St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham.

But now Mr Hoffman has taken his first paid job as a singer.

He performed to an audience of around 50 members of the Snodland Active Retirement Association (SARA) at the Devonshire Rooms in Snodland last Friday - June 13.

Despite the inauspicious date his performance was well received.

Mr Hoffman said: “I gave them all the old swing favourites: Paper Moon, Come Fly With Me, Fly Me To The Moon, My Way.”

He even came bang up to date - well to 1985 anyway - with Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.

The active pensioner secured the gig through a mutual friend, a member of SARA, who knew he loved to sing.

He said: “I have all my backing tracks on an i-pod, which I listen to when I’m out walking Lucy, our dog.

“I think people are quite used to seeing me wandering around singing.”

Video: David Hoffman sings one of his favourites

A degree of musical talent clearly runs in the family, as his son Adam Hoffman is a professional singer and entertainer.

Adam said: “I do what I do, because dad has always been a bit of a performer and has always encouraged me.

“But he never did it himself. I’m so proud that he has taken it up now - at the age of 80.”

Mr Hoffman’s wife of 56 years, Gwen, was also there to hear him and was reportedly impressed.

The singer was paid £50 for his first show.

He said: “I know exactly what I’m going to do with it - put it towards some PA equipment for my next performance!”