Heartwarming footage shows how pensioners are finding a new rhythm in retirement - learning to play the drums at a rock class in China.

Elderly men and women can spend their free time exploring the instruments at the Dongda Tribal Music Studio in Kunming, Yunnan.

Footage showed the senior citizens striking snare drums, bass drums, and cymbals in unison, creating a lively beat on their own kits on August 18.

In another clip, they were seen jamming along to music, pounding out the rhythm with smiles as they played at Chunyu 937 Industrial Park.

Zhang Jiaming, 78, said that joining the class was a way to cope with loss after the death of her only child a decade ago.

She said: 'When I play, the sadness flows out with the beat.'

Meanwhile, Liu Suqin, 65, made the drum class part of her daily routine, practising five days a week.

She credited it with improving her health, stabilising her blood pressure, easing her aches, and boosting her confidence.

Liu said: 'I have something to look forward to every day. Playing the drums also helps with my fitness.'

The class was led by Li Hongying, who guided students through a range of instruments, from drum kits and traditional Chinese drums to the hulusi, a Yunnan gourd flute.