According to an Office of National Statistics population survey, West Somerset, where almost 3 people in 10 are over the age of 65, has the highest average age in the UK.

In West Somerset apparently, the average age is 52, and is expected to rise to 56 by 2018 as more people in their Third Age continue to retire by the sea.

Next up is North Norfolk where the average age is 51. This is closely followed by Rother (East Sussex), East Dorset, East Devon and West Dorset, all coastal areas.

According to the survey, the number of people aged 85 and over has doubled since 1983. There are now 1.3 million people in that age group.

The past 25 years has also seen a significant increase in those aged 65 and over.