AN explosion in the elderly population is emerging as one of the biggest challenges for South Lakeland, with figures showing pensioners to be the fastest growing age group over the next 25 years.

Local authorities and groups representing the elderly are busy developing ideas for how older people can be supported in the future with a steady influx of people coming to retire in South Lakeland.

Problems are being exacerbated by the number of young people able to support their elders leaving the county to look for work and cheaper homes.

Figures published by Cumbria County Council predict almost four in ten Cumbrian residents are expected to be aged 60 years and older by 2029.

A CCC statement says that none of the council's existing residential homes meets national minimum standards of the expectations of today's older people and all will need to be upgraded or replaced.

For story in full see the March 30 Westmorland Gazette.