STUDENTS on Teesside have been trying to bridge the generation gap.

About 50 pensioners were treated to a knees-up at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, at the weekend.

There was food, hot drinks, bingo, a beetledrive and music provided by the Students' Union.

The idea was to give elderly people living in the community the opportunity to meet one another and the chance to talk to the students living in the same streets.

The event, the first of its kind for the university, was held to mark National Make a Difference Day, introduced by the charity, Community Service Volunteers.

Vicki Putson, Students' Union societies and recreation officer, said that as well as developing links with the local community, the day also provided students with opportunities to develop the communication, organisation and general people skills employers seek.

She said: "We are constantly seeking ways to give students the opportunity to develop their skills and run a variety of programmes throughout the year with this aim.

"Although some students may not be from the area, they do live in the same community for up to three or four years.

"The National Make a Difference Day gives us a platform on which the bring students together with others who have lived in Middlesbrough, perhaps, all their life."