TELEVISION presenter Dame Esther Rantzen was the guest of honour at the official opening of a retirement development in Dorchester.

Dame Esther and county town mayor Peter Mann joined other guests for the opening of Barnes Lodge in WessexRoad, which boasts 40 one and two-bedroom self-contained apartments specially designed for retired owners.

Many of the residents of Barnes Lodge got the chance to meet Dame Esther and share their experiences as well as discussing tips for a happy and healthy later life.

Dame Esther has been a string champion for the needs of the elderly.

In 2012 she founded The Silver Line with the aim of combating loneliness in , isolated older people and has worked closely with Churchill Retirement Living to set up The Churchill Awards, the annual celebration of the achievements of the over 65s.

She said: “Growing older is something to be celebrated, older people have so much to offer.

"People of retirement age who are lucky enough to be able to stay as active and as involved as possible, and can spend time doing volunteering work, trying new hobbies or socialising with friends and family find it gives them a great sense of achievement and purpose.”

Dame Esther believes that retirement years should be anticipated in a positive way, something that Churchill Retirement Living is keen to endorse at Barnes Lodge.

She said older people should be supported so that they can find out what’s on offer for them and enjoy life to the full.

Dame Esther said: "As I get older it’s my ambition to have as much fun as I can.

If I were Prime Minister, I would make it a legal requirement that every older person must have fun at least once a day.

In fact, I think we should all make sure we laugh at least once a day!”

She added: “I believe wholeheartedly in keeping your mind active as long as you can, by finding company that you enjoy, sharing time with people you like and doing things that you find engaging.

"Working in a team also gives you companionship, so the owners’ lounges and the social events like the coffee mornings seem to be a great idea.

"It has been heartening to meet the owners at Barnes Lodge and hear so many positive stories from them.”

As well as the communal owners lounge, Barnes Lodge has a number of specially designed features aimed at making life easier for its residents such as a guest suite, laundry room, fully managed and landscaped gardens and security features including access to the 24-hours emergency Careline.

For more information on Barnes Lodge call 01365 555 338 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk