SOUTHAMPTON'S Over-50s Festival has won national acclaim by landing a Whitehall award for being age positive.

Festival chairman Norma Campbell, who has been one of the driving forces behind the popular festival, was today receiving a top award in the individual category of the Daily Echo-backed Age Positive campaign.

The Southampton-based First bus company was also picking up an award in the company category for its age positive policy.

Nearly half the firm's 700 strong squad of drivers are aged over 50.

A company spokesperson said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this award."

Presided over by Minister for Pensions Ian McCartney, the prestigious event also marked a hat-trick for the Daily Echo.

The paper has been involved with the government's campaign against ageism since it was launched three years ago.

Every year the Daily Echo circulation area has produced winning nominations in both the individual and company category.

Today the Daily Echo joined the award winners at Lancaster House, and attended a special reception at 11 Downing Street to celebrate Age Positive Week.

Norma Campbell was nominated for the prestigious award by the city council's tourism and events manager, Dave Dilnot, and another festival stalwart, Dolly O'Beirne.

The Over-50s Festival was the brainchild of former Southampton mayor, the late councillor Fred Goater, who decided to put on some special events for the over-50s.

When he died, Norma and Dolly promised to keep the festival going in his memory.

Norma said she could not believe it when she was told that she had won the Age Positive award. She said: "I am still shaking now but it is great tribute to all the work that has been done and to the late Fred Goater. He would have been thrilled to bits about us getting this award."

Southampton's Over-50s Festival started as a three-day event but now it has grown into an action-packed fortnight.

Attitudes to age discrimination in the work place are out of touch with the rest of society, a new survey has revealed.

To coincide with Age Positive Week the survey has been carried out by B&Q, a company well-known for employing older workers.

Men aged 55 to 64 are more likely to say they have experienced problems of age discrimination in the workforce. Ageism is costing the nation £31billion a year.