A TOP government minister has personally thanked the Daily Echo for helping to spearhead the nationwide campaign to banish ageism from the workplace.

The Whitehall pat on the back came after the Minister for Employment and Equal Opportunities Margaret Hodge presented top awards in the Age Diversity in Employment 2000 campaign.

The award recognised local people who have successfully challenged age prejudice either as an individual or as an employer.

And the Southern Daily Echo was among leading regional newspapers to clinch the double distinction of having winners in both the individual and company categories.

Grandmother Connie Cox, a 78-year-old worker at Fareham's B&Q store, and David Hibberd, of the Southampton based West One Task Force, received their awards during a high-profile ceremony in the glittering surroundings of London's Lancaster House.

The regional newspaper awards are a critical part of the government's Age Diversity in Employment campaign aimed at combating age prejudice in the workplace.

Daily Echo stories of Connie, who works in B&Q'S gardening department, along with the West One Task Force, which has a multi-skilled workforce with ages ranging from 19 to 57, were the centrepiece of a special exhibition in Lancaster House.

Later, in an exclusive interview, Mrs Hodge said: "I want to give a big thank you to the Daily Echo. You have helped us spread the word that people of all ages have a lot to contribute to the world of work."

The minister, who became an MP when she was 50, said: "We cannot afford to waste the talents, energy, commitment and experience of so many people.

"They do not deserve to be thrown into unemployment. The challenge is to change attitudes."

She added: "We are taking action but we need the support and action of every employer and individual to stop overlooking people just because of their age."

And she pointed out that by 2010 almost 40 per cent of the workforce would be over 45.

Many leading employers and organisations in the UK, including the Federation of Small Businesses, support the Age Diversity Campaign.

David Hibberd's West One Task Force has blossomed by mixing young and older workers into a workforce which can tackle anything from transporting items round the country to building computers.

He said: "I am delighted that we have received the company award. There is far too much ageism."

Mr Hibberd, who is about to turn 50, was accompanied at the awards ceremony by 57-year-old Mike Morris, the oldest member of the West One Task Force.

Connie was delighted with her outing to the prestigious Lancaster House to rece-ive the individual award.

She thanked B&Q for giving her a job when she was 68 and the Daily Echo for nominating her for the award.

To put the shine on Connie's special day, the Employment and Equal Opportun-ities Minister autographed her menu adding the words "Connie, well done! Keep going until you're 100."