Census figures revealed this week there are more old people than youngsters in the UK for the first time in history.

Yet there is still a tendency for older workers to be put on the scrap heap even if they have plenty to offer.

Fortunately, some employers such as Asda have seen the light and are employing oldies with great success. They are often more reliable than younger workers and, of course, have plenty of experience to offer.

They take less time off through illness and often tend to be more settled in the area where they are working.

Thinkwell, a recruitment agency based in Brighton, is doing well by specialising in placing older workers.

If firms persist in going exclusively for younger workers, they will run into two kinds of trouble.

Firstly, they will find the supply of available people under 45 is drying up, although there are plenty of workers available over that age.

Secondly, they will be breaching a European Commission directive against ageism likely to be passed in four years' time.

More people are living longer and, as the census shows, Sussex has some of the highest percentages in the UK.

While thousands of older people either cannot work or do not want to any more, there are many more whose talents are going to waste through age discrimination.