SADDLEWORTH Drystone walling firm Dog with a Bone, has become one of several organisations formally acknowledged for its work with the over 50s.

The company was given an award for its work with its partner Ambition for Ageing, in giving access to the over 50s to participate in its drystone walling courses.

The initiative, set up by the Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham, highlights the efforts local people are going to make the Oldham area a better place for the elderly.

John Matthews founder, of Dog with a Bone, who is in his 50s himself, said: "We are only in our first year of this initiative and Ambition for Ageing and Age UK have covered the cost for 10 people to do our course, free of charge, if they are over 50 and from the Crompton area.

"We still have five or so places left. If anyone is over 50 from that area and would like to learn how to drystone wall they should get in contact with us as soon as possible as the places will go fast...’

Anyone wanting to do a drystone walling course who is over 50 from Crompton should email john@big-pic.co.uk. Dog with a Bone also have places on the course funded by Action Oldham for those struggling financially.

Nicola Shore from Age UK Oldham, which works in partnership with Action Together to deliver Ambition for Ageing Oldham, said: “There is so much great work happening in the three Ambition for Ageing wards and we have invested in 150 small community-led projects, including Dog with a Bone, which all contribute to a better age-friendly community and better places for local people to grow older. We wanted to recognise all this hard work and say thank you to everyone who has been involved.”

Alexandra, Crompton and Failsworth West were among the 32 areas from across Greater Manchester to be recognised by the award scheme designed to showcase the best places to grow older in the city-region.

Mr Bunrham said: “I launched this challenge last year to unearth the positive work I know is going on in Greater Manchester, to find practical examples of what age-friendly really means, and to share best practice across the city-region. The response to this challenge has been fantastic.

"The variety of age-friendly work displayed from all our winners clearly shows the commitment from our local communities to make sure that people in Greater Manchester are living not just longer, but happier and healthier too.”