The Nottingham night out where women in 70s party until 1am

Throwing shapes and hugging your sweaty friends on a strobe light stricken dance floor is not just for the young 'uns. That message is at the heart of Age Against the Machine, a long-running event that has been galvanising Nottingham's over-30s for the past few years.

The night, which has sold out Saltbox in the city centre for two years running, sees a "big spread" in ages, organiser Carl Hill, aka 'Don Grouch' said. “One woman came who was celebrating her 70th birthday," he said.

"She was up to 1am dancing on the dance floor. The Nottingham crowd are great, people come from all over. We enjoy Nottingham, it’s a really lively city.

Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

“It’s a good party crowd, we attract a really fun crowd. We’ve got a big spread from 30 onwards." The event, which spawned in London 11 years ago, is part of a wider trend in clubs catering to the so-called 'older crowds'.

The concept grew in prominence earlier this year, when Nottingham actress Vicky McClure launched Day Fever along with husband Jonny Owen, and Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers. Carl refused to be drawn into a war of words with the event, which sold out Rock City in April.

"We’re different, they have their strengths and we have ours. We cater to slightly different crowds," he said. “There’s other competitors and on our day we can beat anyone out there.”

When asked what to expect of Age Against the Machine, which also visits Glasgow, Oxford and Brighton, Carl said: “A good time, a lot of sweating on the dance floor. A lot of hugging your friends and going home the next morning wondering what you’ve done.

“It’s a fun night with no pretension. There’s no fighting, you get a lot of women coming on their own."

He said Nottingham also had a particular fondness for Billy Ocean’s Red Light Spells Danger. While being a magnet for the older crowds, the event also attracts some undesirables - under 30s.

Carl said there is a strict policy on not allowing them in, but admits some might slip through the net. “People think it’s a joke when I ask for their ID,” he said. “I don’t like turning people away but it’s what people are paying their money for, it’s a slippery slope."

Age Against the Machine will be at Saltbox for an evening party on July 19 and day party on August 25.