A TOWN CRIER is backing a campaign to make British high streets more accessible for millions of older people.

Bob Smytherman, also a councillor for Worthing, is backing research released by not-for-profit housing and care provider Anchor.

It shows that almost 80 per cent of over-70s feel the modern high street does not cater to their needs.

Cllr Smytherman, who in 2014 was mayor of the town once labelled "God's waiting room", said: "The idea is to encourage all businesses to think about older people in the community, particularly in Worthing.

"We have one of the biggest elderly populations in the country, possibly in Europe.

"People still want to get out and live actively but they can't do it all without sitting down."

The report estimates that the UK economy could be losing out on up to £3.8 billion a year through lack of accessibility for older people.

Now a campaign called Standing Up 4 Sitting Down has been launched to call on shops to include seating for older people, and those who need it.

Cllr Smytherman is involved with Worthing Dementia Alliance and Worthing Society For The Blind and said relatives of older people think extra seating in town centres would make accompanying their loved-ones easier.

He said: "It tends to be younger people who do internet shopping and it's older people who want to use the high street. And the more we can encourage them, that can only be good for the economy."

The research by Anchor saw that 78 per cent of over-70s said the high street was not suited to their needs, rising to 88 per cent for women.

More than two-thirds (66 per cent) believed that a lack of seating in shopping areas was an issue, with a similar number believing seating in shopping areas was declining.

The report said that one in five of those aged over 70 visited their local shops and high street less often specifically because of a lack of seating, and that they would benefit from chairs.

And it warns that "with an ageing population, the UK could be in danger of sluggish economic growth if underspending by older people who have trouble walking continues at the rate of 14.5 per cent".

Cllr Smytherman added: "People don't say Worthing is God's waiting room as often now, but there are a lot of older people who are active, living with a disability.

"They can still live a positive life but they need to be able to live well."