LOCAL club WADERS. celebrated their 30th Anniversary on Saturday. 31 May at the Springhouse Social Club, Corringham.

Founder and senior hydrotherapist Ankie Postma was presented with a commemorative statue, fittingly of mermaids, for her 30 years of dedication.

WADERS (Water Assisted Disabled Exercise Rehabilitation Scheme) is a not for profit organisation based in Thurrock, offering exercise in water for people with physical difficulties and has helped hundreds of Thurrock residents during those 30 years.

Sessions held at Impulse Leisure pools Corringham and Blackshots and SwimMania, Laindon, have benefited many people `suffering with among other things, arthritis, fibromyalgia, MS and joint replacements.

Recently with the closure of the hydrotherapy pools at local NHS hospitals, WADERS work has become even more relevant in the Thurrock area.