QUEUES formed outside St James' Park on Saturday, but football was not on offer at the Newcastle United stadium.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life took up the offer to help shape the future of pension provision in Britain.

As part of what was dubbed National Pensions Day, participants, aged 16 to 89, had the chance to have their input on the issue.

The North-East debate was one of six events staged across the country, with similar simultaneous discussions taking place in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea and Birmingham.

A satellite link-up enabled the North-East gathering to hear the progress of the debates at the other centres, while there were also game-show-style audience votes on key issues surrounding pensions.

All were staged as part of the follow-up consultation after the publication of proposals of the Pensions Commission, in November.

Pensions Reform Minister Stephen Timms, who attended the Newcastle consultation, said public opinion from today's and tomorrow's pensioners, was vital to mould a realistic future pension policy.

"It's important people have their say on the future of pensions and play their part in securing a lasting pensions settlement," he said.

"We want people to contribute to the debate so we can build a broad consensus on pensions reform.

"Ultimately, this will help us to deliver a fair and adequate retirement income for all."

Fifty-five per cent of those attending the six debates backed the thorny subject of raising the pensions age, while there was also support for automatic enrolment into a National Pension Savings Scheme.

Any member of the public can log on to www.dwp. gov.uk/debate to offer their views.

The proposals put forward by the Pensions Commission can be viewed on www. pensionscommission.org.uk and the findings from the wider consultation exercise will contribute towards the forthcoming Government White Paper on pensions reform