A COUNTY council is celebrating the vital role played by older people in communities after marking UK Older People's Day on October 1.

North Yorkshire County Council is making supporting older people a priority as by 2020 almost a quarter of the county's residents will be aged over 65 - and the authority wants to help those who contribute to the places they live.

County councillor David Chance said: “The county council, and particularly our stronger communities team, has been struck by the amount of voluntary effort put into communities across North Yorkshire by older people. Many older people give their free time to support and befriend others through a range of activities."

Across the county, the stronger communities programme, which helps communities to get the most from the assets and skills they already possess, currently supports more than 30 projects, many of which both help and are helped by older people.

These include the Osmotherley Community Group, which helps to combat loneliness and rural isolation and regularly attracts up to 90 people aged from three weeks to 101 years. A pool of about 30 volunteers, including older people, helps by baking, serving, talking to and entertaining the visitors.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/volunteering.