EXCLUSIVE The age of 47 is when we should stop wearing bikinis - apparently. Three of these women are over 47 and three are younger. Who's who?

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From right to left: Joanna Hall, Sharan Sunner, Angie Drake designer wedding dresses designer wedding dresses, Iris Murray strapless evening gown , Catherine Williams and Vicky Amao (Pic: Martin Spaven)

My bikini days aren't over

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Joanna Hall lives in Shedfield, wedding dresses cheap wedding dresses cheap Southampton, with husband Tony, 48. Joanna is a beauty therapist and the couple have a daughter, 20.

It's a difficult one this 'what age should you stop wearing a bikini' question. It depends on your figure and whether a swimsuit is flattering. I still don't think anyone else has a right to tell you what to do though.

Just because I'm in my 50s doesn't mean my days of wearing a bikini are gone. I was a marathon runner but now I run five miles twice a week. I drink lots of water, eat five a day and that's how my weight stays at 10st 13lbs.

I don't smoke but I do love to tan - my only aging vice - and I'm religious about body buffing. I also don't believe if something's expensive it will necessarily work. In terms of beautiful bodies, Angelina Jolie's is amazing but I don't want to look like anyone else.

I have a lovely J-Lo bum!

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Sharan Sunner lives in Leeds and works in PR. Her partner, Justin, 28, is in the military.

If you've looked after your body why shouldn't you wear a bikini? If you've got it, flaunt it, that's what I say!

I've gained a few pounds recently but I don't care. I'm 5ft 6ins and comfortable in my 11st frame. I have a lovely J-Lo bum!

Life's too short not to eat fish and chips. I'd rather be a 12/14 than a size 10 and not have my white wine spritzers!

Sometimes I get fed up with my 34E boobs as they feel disproportionate and give me backache but not enough to have a reduction.

I like my sleep too much to spend hours moisturising and I dress for my shape. I don't worry about how I'll look in the years to come. If I had to swap my body for anyone else's it'd be Kelly Brook's.

I'm a shower and go girl.

Men still check me out

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Angie Drake lives in Petersfield flower girl tulle dresses flower girl tulle dresses, Hampshire with husband, Chris, 50. She helps him with his property business and is also a hairdresser and mum to four children aged 15 to 28.

No bikini after 47? Ridiculous. I'll wear one when I'm 80! It's how you feel not what your birth certificate says.

I go out with my eldest daughter, Malise, 28, and she complains men are too busy checking me out to look at her. I have to say that makes me feel proud. Being a 5ft 9ins size 12 and staying 11.5 stone gets harder as the years go by.

I have worked out in the gym and on a cross trainer at home for the last 25 years.

Six years ago I paid £4,000 for a tummy tuck. Now I have a lovely flat stomach and if anything else needs doing I'll definitely consider it. I'm also a great believer in curves - thin can be so ageing.

I've got eight children!

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Catherine Williams is a mum and lives in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, with husband Gareth, 47. They have eight children aged six to 20.

I work hard to look like this and it's not up to anyone else to say whether I should wear a bikini or not.

No-one believes I've got eight kids and am in my 40s. But it takes work - I exercise most days and am a black belt kick-boxer.

I ran until eighth months of pregnancy and never gained more than a stone each time.

I'd do sit-ups to get my stomach flat and I'd soon go back to my 5ft 4ins 10st frame and a size 8 to 10.

I think surgery is a waste of money - just put the time in. If I had to swap bodies it would be with athlete Pauline Nordin.

Age is on my side

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Vicky Amao works in promotions and lives in Derby with boyfriend Matthew, 30.

No-one wants to see a saggy old lady in a bikini but neither do they want to see a saggy young woman. Many older women work hard to look after themselves so why shouldn't they show that off?

I believe in 'everything in moderation'. I like a glass of wine and the occasional takeaway, too.

I used to do sport at university but now I only do sit-ups and tricep dips in front of the TV. I'm 5ft 5ins and have remained a 10st size 10 for ages.

I moisturise my skin but don't go for treatments. I'm happy with my body though I'd take Beyoncé's any day!

I won't have surgery either - I guess I'll just have to work harder if things head south!

Only discipline will keep you youthful

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Iris Murray is divorced and lives in Watford affordable wedding venues affordable wedding venues, Hertfordshire. She's retired with five children between 42 and 51.

The whole 'no bikini after 47' thing? What a load of rubbish. There are girls much younger than 47 wearing a bikini who are big or have cellulite. These people ought to have a look at my body before saying such a silly thing.

I still get out at 74 and get compliments. After each child I got back in the gym and I still go for an hour four times a week.

I eat porridge for breakfast and chicken or fish with salad for lunch and dinner and have remained an 8st 10lbs size 8 for years.

Only discipline will keep you trim. I don't touch cakes, biscuits or crisps and never have takeaways.

I think I've got good legs but I'm careful not to be mutton dressed as lamb. I do consider myself lucky though. Genes play a part but other than that it's pride in myself and refusing to get old.