HAMPSHIRE'S Age Concern chiefs have declared war on ageism.

The charity is launching an investigation into why the interview door is being slammed on people from all walks of life, representing a wide cross-section of professions and trades - just because of their age.

National statistics reveal that one third of men and women between 50 and the state pension age - some 2. 8 million people - are not in work.

In the last 20 years, the proportion of men aged 50 to 65 not in work has doubled.

Consigning more people to the job scrap-heap comes at a time when the Government admits there is a serious skills shortage and it is looking to recruit from abroad.

Chris Perry, director of Age Concern Hampshire, said: "There is considerable anecdotal evidence of people, who would have walked into jobs some 10 years ago, not even getting interviews.

"This happens when they clearly meet all essential and desirable criteria in the personal specification."

Now, as part of a campaign called "Worthy of Work", Age Concern Hampshire would like to hear from anyone who feels they have not been given an interview because of their age.

Mr Perry said: "We would ask where possible that they enclose a copy of the personal specification together with evidence that they meet both the essential and desired criteria.

"The information given to us will be held in the strictest confidence and only used with the explicit permission of the person concerned."

Armed with this evidence, Age Concern bosses plan to take this up with companies and also present their findings to the Government.

Anyone who feels that they have not been given an interview because of their age should write to Age Concern Hampshire, 1, St Cross Road, Winchester, S023 9JA.