ACHIEVEMENTS in art, poetry and computing, by the over-65s, were celebrated at an awards ceremony yesterday.

About 50 County Durham Care residential home residents were presented with certificates to mark their accomplishments in interests ranging from needlework to computing.

Ceremonies were held at East Green Home in West Auckland and Grampian House in Peterlee, and were organised by Create, County Durham Care's activity service.

Manager of Create June Alderson-Heil said: "Their interests are as diverse as in any society.

"We want to enable people to carry on with their hobbies and introduce them to new things.

"It is all about keeping people lively, interested and motivated."