WHAT with the gloomy economic forecast and bitter cold, the first ever International Day of Happiness might have passed you by.

But there were smiles all round as older people celebrated at Hounslow's Paul Robeson Theatre last Wednesday (March 20) with a morning of singing, dancing and games.

The event was such a hit with the 30 people who attended that joint organisers Hounslow Seniors Trust and Age UK Hounslow are considering making it a monthly session.

A second happiness afternoon was held at the theatre, on the first floor of the Treaty Centre, in Hounslow High Street, this Wednesday (March 27).

The United Nations declared last Wednesday the International Day of Happiness in a bid to get governments across the world to give as much thought to citizens' well-being as that of the economy.