A CELEBRATION of the over fifties returns to Brighton and Hove later this year.

The fifth annual Older People’s Festival will feature a range of events and entertainments in venues across the city from September 25.

The two-week celebration is run by the charity Impact Initiatives with the help of a grant from Brighton and Hove City Council.

Award-winning photographer Maria Scard returns for a second year and will be looking for older participants to bring her photographic ideas to life.

This year she plans to photograph people over 50 who contribute to the city and its people in a wide range of ways.

Events will be held at locations including the Bridge community centre in Lucraft Road, Brighton, the Theatre Royal, Duke of York’s cinema, The Bevy pub and Portslade Aldridge Community Academy.

Also involved are Brighton and Hove Buses, Active for Life and Barclays Digital Eagles and Eagle Labs, The Digital Festival, Open Strings, Singing for the Brain, History Walks, the Terence Higgins Trust and Singing for Better Health.

The Full of Life Fair at the Open Market on October 1 will feature the return of Herbie Flowers and the All Stars.

This year’s festival is tapping into the United Nations international older people’s day on October 1.

This year’s theme is stepping into the future and using the talents, contributions and participation of older people in society.

Impact Initiatives chief executive Caroline Ridley said: “We are once again working with some amazing people to bring the festival together.

“With the criteria of stepping into the future, it gives the opportunity to explore, discuss and debate what becoming older will mean in the future.

“It also enables us to celebrate the talent in the city, which has made it such a wonderful vibrant place to grow old in.”

Sarah Podmore from the city council’s public health team said: “Brighton and Hove has around 35,400 people aged 65 and over and this is increasing every year as people are living longer.

“Celebrating the United Nations International Day of Older Persons has become a valuable part of delivering our vision to make Brighton and Hove an age-friendly city.”

For further information on events and how to book, go to opf.org.uk.

Festival programmes will be available in venues across the city from September 1.

Anyone interesting in taking part in the festival in some way should email olderpeoplesfestival@impact-initiatives.org.uk or call 01273 322940.