OLDER people in Stockton enjoyed a bird's eye view of the town this week - and for some, it would have been a real eye-opener.

For new landmarks on the horizon were not around the last time some of the party took a trip around the area.

The pensioners were treated to an open-top bus ride on Wednesday, and saw the restoration of the shopping centre, Teesdale Park and the Tees barrage - all new to some who had not set foot in the town centre for years.

The trip was part of a campaign by Help the Aged and British Gas to encourage older people enjoy a more active lifestyle.

Called Stepping Out, the campaign follows research by the partnership which has revealed that more than 1m older people in the UK feel trapped in their homes. To help combat the problem, the partners have produced a range of money-saving offers throughout July. These include discounts on travel and entrance fees to houses and gardens, castles, museums, hotels, theatres and tourist attractions around the country.

The offers are in a special brochure which can ordered by ringing 0870 770 3288.

Paula Shields, from the partnership in the North-East, said: "We hope the open-top bus tour will help spread the message and also provide a great day out for older people from Stockton who are giving it a try."

The outing went down well, but as one pensioner said: "It's all changed since I were a lad!"