THEY hop, skipped and jumped their way through various routines to ensure they were ready for the big day.

A Daily Echo photographer visited the Southampton Keep Fit team on July 26, 1946, to capture these images of the members stretching and dancing.

The group were rehearsing for the National Festival of Youth which was due to be held at Wembley Stadium just a few days later.

The event was organised by the Central Council of Physical Recreation.