Shropshire seeing huge rise in elderly population

South Shropshire and Bridgnorth have two of the fastest growing elderly populations in the country, a study published today has claimed.

It also found that Shropshire as a whole had one of the highest rates in England for people over 65 moving into the area.

The study - for the BBC's Living Longer season - is reporting on social care, the impact of caring on families, the cost to the NHS, work and retirement, as well as the opportunities of ageing.

Ludlow Mayor John Aitken today said the town was making plans for the needs of the elderly.

Councillor Aitken said: "A lot of people see the advantages of coming to a town like Ludlow before or at retirement."

He added: "We have noted in the town plan that the requirements and needs of the post-retirement population is something we need to focus on."

After seeing the report, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK: "The fact that there are growing numbers of people in later life is a cause for real celebration.

"People past retirement age are playing a more active role in the job market and contributing to the nation's wealth for longer, as well as volunteering in large numbers within their communities.

"At the same time there are challenges and changes society needs to make to prepare for an ageing population.

"For example, as people are expected to work for longer, employers need to provide far more job opportunities for people in later life and remove the ageist barriers which often prevent older people getting back into work."

She added: "We also need to invest in the sort of services which an ageing society will rely on."