OLDER people will be celebrated by a charity with a series of events across the town.

Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East will be celebrating International Older People's Day by offering free classes and sessions, as well as hosting events.

The charity, based in High Street, Slough, will be offering the sessions at its opportunity centres across the area between Monday and Friday, October 7.

New clients aged over 60 can take part in the sessions which will include a two course hot lunch, a free exercise class and other group activities.

The activities have been organised to celebrate two days to recognise older people.

International Older Peoples Day, which is on Saturday, October 1, aims to recognise the important contributions that older people make to the world while raising awareness towards issues of ageing.

Silver Sunday is on Sunday, October 2 having been launched in 2012 by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation after a report discovered more than a third of people over 75 were lonely. The aim of the day is to celebrate older residents and to help them get out and about and meet new people.

Held on the first Sunday in October, it is a national celebration of older people and their contribution to communities.

Age Concern Head of Charity Operations, Gavin Shand, said: "At Age Concern Slough and Berkshire East we are always looking to promote the rights and needs of older people.

"International Older People’s Day and Silver Sunday give us a great opportunity to raise the profile of older people and the issues they face in todays society.

"Our local community is becoming increasingly elderly, and we must embrace the challenges and opportunities this brings.

"Our events will help older people get involved, tackle loneliness and improve wellbeing. It is through events like these we continue our mission to tackle the problem locally."

A Silver Sunday/Eid Lunch will also be held on Thursday, October 6 from 11am-2pm at the Maria Cowland Centre in Cippenham in partnership with Slough Muslim Network, where a free lunch and seated exercise class will be on offer.

A Silver Sunday Beach Party will be held on Friday, October 7 from 10am-3pm for people over 60 at the Old Windsor Day Centre in Straight Road, which is being run in partnership with Home Instead Senior Care. A free lunch of scampi or chicken and chips will be available, as well as entertainment and a raffle.

To book call 01753 854117.