THE Daily Echo is in the frontline in Whitehall's war on ageism. For the fourth year running companies and individuals from Hampshire scooped top awards in the Daily Echo-backed Age Positive campaign.

We were one of a dozen regional newspapers in the country to have winners in the latest ceremony.

Stepping up to receive the individual award was Age Concern Hampshire director, 62-year-old Chris Perry.

He has been a vigorous campaigner against ageism - particularly in the workplace.

He has taken his crusade nationwide with TV and radio appearances and newspaper articles - and investigated dozens of cases of alleged ageism.

One included a woman who had her contract terminated within a week of starting work because she was 67.

The company award went to Town or Country (Hampshire) of Oxford Street, Southampton.

It was received on behalf of the company, which specialises in quality apartment rentals, by general manager Dudley Godfrey.

Still working at 69 and with no intention of retiring, he is shining example of being age positive.

The company workforce is aged from 22 to nearly 70. Dudley's workplace philosophy is: "You have got to have the best person who can do the job. In my opinion age should not come into it."

The judges described entries from the Daily Echo as outstanding.

For more on the Age Positive Awards click the link on the 'This is Southampton' homepage.