Traditional tea dances have made a comeback in Norwich after a community centre's ballroom was given a facelift.

New life was breathed into the Belvedere Centre three years ago and since then the facility, in Belvoir Street, off Earlham Road, has gone from strength to strength.

Now, the centre has undergone its latest refurbishment and has a revamped ballroom with new floors and seats. With red chairs, the newly refurbished ballroom hosted a Valentine's Day tea dance at the weekend. The event was hailed a success and will now become a regular fixture on Sunday afternoons.

Sharon Betts, from the centre, said: 'The new ballroom has completely lifted the place and given it a new look. Things have changed and we've really taken the community centre to the next level.

'The centre isn't funded and money raised is done by the community. We're really lucky as I have a fantastic team of volunteers, and we have a lot of support from the local community.'

Between �16,000 and �20,000 was spent on the latest refurbishment – money raised by members of the community.

The centre has also received support from its landlords Norwich City Council.

Mrs Betts added: 'We were amazed with the response at Sunday's tea dance. We want to reprise the tea dances that used to be at the old Norwood Rooms in Aylsham Road. I still remember going to the last tea dance there back in 1987. We used to have a great time.'

Look out in the Evening News for the next tea dance to be held at the Belvedere Centre.

This Friday, the centre will host the Pavilion Big Band, featuring Gary Winter on vocals, for a Valentine's swing dance from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost �7.50. To book, call the centre on 01603 616894.

Are you breathing new life into a community facility? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.