THE Wiltshire Times is joining forces with the Department of Work and Pensions to stamp out age discrimination in the workplace and reward firms who actively encourage the recruitment of older people.

The DWP Age Positive Regional Newspaper Award recognises individuals and organisations, which have demonstrated it is ability, and not age, that counts.

Ian McCartney, minister of state, for the Department of Work and Pensions, said: "We know that there are still far too many companies in Wiltshire indulging in ageist practices and way too many readers of the Wiltshire Times that are suffering as a result.

"But we also know that there are companies and individuals in the county that are making a point of employing the best person for the job, regardless of their age."

Tesco is one of the first companies in the country to positively encourage the recruitment of the 50 plus age group and actively seeks employees who are over 50, particularly in the retail division.

Currently one in six Tesco employees are over 50 and nearly 1,600 people work for the company who are over the age of 65.

Mr McCartney said: "According to older staff currently employed at Tesco stores across the UK, including Wiltshire, working increases their sense of achievement and gives them a feeling of belonging. They enjoy working as a team, sharing their experience and wisdom with younger workers.

"Work provides them with a chance to re-train, learn new skills and mentor others."

Trowbridge grandfather Terry Tyacke is proof that learning does not have to stop when you reach your teens.

Mr Tyacke passed his 29th A-level in August, gaining a grade B in Social Policy to add to his previous 28 passes, which include A's in Business Studies and Film Studies.

Mr Tyacke, who studies at the City of Bath College, is planning to aim for his 30th pass by tackling a History of Art course. The one-year courses he studies mean he only has nine months to study for each exam, rather than the two years teenagers traditionally take.

Mr Tyacke began studying in 1973 to encourage his daughter and in 2001 he revised alongside his grandson who was sitting his A-levels at school.

He said: "We didn't really revise subjects together but I was able to tell him a lot about the form questions take and exam technique, which I've experience in."

While the Physical Education course he took in 1996 was his favourite subject Mr Tyacke said he has enjoyed all of his A-level studies, even when he found the mathematical courses tricky.

He said: "I have got along with everyone I've studied with.

"During social policy one of the other students who was a single parent and I were able to offer our classmates a different perspective on the issues we looked at, however, when it comes down to it its not about age its about being an individual.

"I am able to contribute my experience but I'd never say I knew everything."

Evidence gathered by the department shows that Age Positive employers enjoy lower staff turnover rates, lower absenteeism and workers with higher levels of motivation and efficiency.

More information is available from the website www.agepositive.gov.uk

Company winners are entitled to use the 'Age Positive Regional Newspaper Award 2002' logo on their stationery and company literature, and can hotlink to the Government's new Age Positive website www.agepositive.gov.uk

There are award categories for individuals and businesses.

The closing date for entries is the end of October and details of how to enter will appear in the Wiltshire Times next week.