A CAMPAIGN to stamp out age discrimination in firms in Wiltshire could see individuals and businesses recognised nationally for their good work.

The Wiltshire Times is joining forces with the Department of Work and Pensions and newspapers to find the best examples of people and businesses which demonstrate it is ability and not age that matters.

The DWP Age Positive Regional Newspaper Award, in association with the Wiltshire Times, aims to recognise individuals and organisations.

The Regional Award is the only award in its field that recognises best practice on tackling age discrimination in employment.

Among the firms being held up as a good example by Ian McCartney, minister of state for the Department of Work and Pensions, is Tesco.

One in six people employed by the supermarket chain, which has a large store in Trowbridge, are over 50, with nearly 1,600 people having passed their 65th birthday.

Trowbridge personnel manager Vivienne Drysdale said: "We love the over 50s.

"The best person to work here is someone that shops here.

"They understand what good customer service is about. We do find a lot of the older people have that knowledge. Someone who is over 50 can come to Tesco and there are lots of benefits to working here. We have a good pension scheme and staff discounts. Many people will still have 10 or 15 years to work, or even more.

"We have people working beyond retirement age. We will still consider people if they are physically able to do the job."

Trowbridge Tesco is holding a recruitment open evening in the coffee shop on Tuesday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Nominees for the individual category of the awards can be of any age and should have successfully overcome the problems of age discrimination in employment.

It could be they have made a particular effort to encourage a change in attitude or behaviour towards age issues among work colleagues, managers, friends and associates.

It may be someone who has pushed for a career change or promotion, or received good training with a previous employer, which challenges stereotypical views on age. Or they could be a younger worker in a senior position or an older worker who has persevered to take advantage of an opportunity that might previously only have been offered to a much younger worker.

The company award is open to firms of any size, which demonstrate positive attitudes and practice towards age issues within their organisation.

Entries for the individual award should be presented in either word-processed or clear handwritten format, and should be no longer than 500 words.

Managers nominating employees should ensure their contact details are also included in the entry and that they have signed the form.

Entries for the company award should be presented in a word-processed format, and should be no longer than 1,000 words. It is expected companies may wish to submit relevant company literature as further evidence of good practice on age discrimination.

The closing date for entries is October 31.

Regional judging will take place in November.

For an application form email agepositive@dwp-.gov.uk stating the Wiltshire Times and asking for a form.