A pair of student lifeguards saved the day yesterday after a group of energetic over 50's, and a council leader, were left without a teacher.

After a fitness instructor was held up on a motorway, around 40 people needed entertaining at the regular Aquarobics class at Woodside Leisure Centre in Watford yesterday morning.

Bosses at the leisure centre were left with an active and soon-to-be angry aerobics class until a couple of lifeguards stepped in.

It might not be in their remit but Asaf Sajjad, 19, and Lucia Pamment, 18, volunteered to take on the instructor's role and took the class through a series of impromptu popular dances.

Not only did they impress the group with their moves, but leader of Three Rivers District Council, Sara Bedford, too, who regularly attends the Aquarobics classes.

Cllr Bedford said: “The lifeguards were brilliant. All of us were laughing and enjoying ourselves. When the instructor finally made it to the poolside, the departing pair got a round of applause from everyone in the pool.

"They took us through dances that are not usually part of the sessions, including the Macarena and Cha Cha Slide.

"I remember hearing one person say it was like a pensioner's pool party today - it was so much fun."