I GET PLENTY OF COMPLIMENTS

PAULINE SWAIN, 58, works in events. She lives with her partner, Simon, and has two children. WHY do I wear a bikini? Because I feel confident with how I look. I suppose I do get some attention on the beach when wearing one — but I’m usually on holiday with my partner, so I always give the chaps short shrift! Swimsuits may be fashionable but they make me feel frumpy, and I’ll only wear one to do lengths in the local pool.

Now that I’m nearing 60 and have two children, my body is far less perfect than it was when I was younger — my thighs are less firm and my tummy is rounder — but I’m so much happier with it.

I stay active throughout the year, by swimming and playing tennis, for instance, and I am relaxed about revealing the results on the beach.

Most of my friends still wear bikinis, too. We look so much younger than our mothers’ generation did at the same age — we’re not content to cover up in a bid to be ‘age appropriate’.

In my view, if you feel your body is still fabulous, why not show it off?