IT was described as “Older People’s Day”, but the residents of Ashley House Residential Care Home in Bordon decided to celebrate being “young at heart” by turning back the clock and enjoying games of their childhood.

They took part in games like hopscotch and hula hooping, as well as enjoying luxury pampering and a tea party with homemade cakes.

Resident Vera Acers, 95, had a go with a hula hoop and said: “I really enjoyed marking Older People’s Day because it shows we can still have fun at our age.”

Resident Doris Cox, 80, added: “You are as young as you feel and that should be celebrated.”

Margaret Powell, manager of the Sanctuary Care home in Forest Road, said: “It was fantastic to host a fun and light-hearted event for UK Older People’s Day as it reflected perfectly who our residents are – not quiet individuals who sit around all day, but wonderful characters who are truly young at heart.”

Older People’s Day is a Government initiative that aims to recognise the positive contribution that older people make to society, especially considering that 23 per cent of the UK population will be age 65 or over by 2035.