SUSSEX was earmarked last week as place to be for young people, but it looks like it is not too bad for the elderly either.

According to a league table compiled by life insurance company Prudential, both East and West Sussex are the places to go for pensioners looking to enjoy a long, healthy and safe retirement.

The table was calculated looking at factors such as crime rates, healthcare and life expectancy.

Both counties’ reached the top ten in the league table with East Sussex claiming the number five spot and West Sussex clocking in at number eight.

Lesley Penfold, steward of Alice Croft House in Eastbourne, a club for the over 50s, said it was the “sheer amount” of things to do which brought people to the county.

She said: “I think it is the sea air and the seafront which brings people down here.

“Eastbourne has got a little bit of everything and it is supposed to be the sunniest place in the UK.

“There is plenty for people to do and the lovely seafront views.”

Both East and West Sussex each had higher than average numbers of healthcare workers per 1,000 people, lower than average crime rates and higher than average life expectancy for both genders.

David Poole, owner of Worthing Bowls Centre, said: “Speaking as someone who moved from London, I retired down here for the Worthing Bowls Club – I was always coming down and watching the bowls.”

He added: “You have plenty of bungalows, nice shops, the seafront. You can have a nice walk, you have the Downs – it is quite a relaxed area, not too many youngsters running around.

“I live in Rustington and its all retired people, plenty of care homes and good hospitals. You do not have to rush around much when you are getting old.”

Councillor Bill Bentley, lead member for adult social care on East Sussex County Council, said there were “lots of different reasons” people moved to the county.

He said: “What they are doing is looking at the places not the stats. I think it is nice to think someone thinks it is great place to live but like every area in the country we have our specific challenges.”