VENEZUELAN Thomas Melendez has a message for us all as we yearn for the warmer weather of spring and summer.

Although he misses the sunshine back home in South America, the Cheltenham salsa teacher says we have to find it inside ourselves.

He said: "The sun is in you, in spirit. You just have to bring it out."

And he believes one of the best ways of finding the positive vibe within us is to dance.

So he is increasing the number of classes he is teaching at various venues in the town.

They include Holy Apostles Hall in London Road, Charlton Kings and the Apres Bar at The Brewery.

Thomas said he was also pleased to be teaching salsa at the new All Saints' Academy this year.

It means he will be in for a busy year – his wife, Anna, cannot take any of the classes because she is 30 weeks pregnant.

But energetic Thomas says he is not afraid of hard work and loves to spread the message about the need to keep active through the cold and dark winter months.

He said: "In England, the winter is cold and you don't want to do much, but it's so important to do a lot of exercise, eat well and laugh a lot."