Pampering Day with Kirsty Dimond and Holly Lane and Jean Irving.

COLLEGE students pampered pensioners to help launch a new service from Age UK reducing isolation among the elderly.

Men and women aged 50-90 enjoyed professional facials, manicures and pedicures for £5 at Weston College’s Knightstone campus salon.

Dennis Newbury, aged 82, of Worlebury, said: “I’ve never had a facial. I thought it wasn’t the sort of thing a man did but I thoroughly enjoyed it all.”

Pauline Roberts, 86, of Ridgeway in Weston town centre, said: “This was my first facial and I worried I was too old but it’s been lovely and I’ve had my nails painted lilac.”

The event was held to launch the charity’s new Joining In Together service for older people, supported by Somerset Racial Equality Council and funded by the Fair Share Trust.

It is aiming to bring together older communities in Weston to ease loneliness and improve pensioners’ quality of life.

The scheme’s organisers are also looking to set up a ‘befriending service’ and are seeking volunteers to visit housebound older people in the town centre.

Age UK Somerset campaign co-ordinator, Linda Jones, said: “This pamper day has been an incredible success which couldn’t have happened without Weston College.”

To find out more about the project call Linda on 07827796149 or call Age UK Somerset on 0845 6434709.