One in five people in Dorset are likely to suffer from loneliness, which could affect their health - including mental wellbeing.

And loneliness or isolation is not restricted to the old and rural areas – the young and people who live in towns are just as likely to suffer.

A report to the county council say of the 180,000 aged 65 and over in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, at least 18,000 are likely to be lonely most of the time.

An adult social care survey in 2016 showed that 44 per cent of people who use services reported that they did not have as much social contact as they would like.

Weymouth Cllr Kate Wheller, who chaired a small committee into the problem, said she was shocked to discover 41per cent of young people reported difficulties in making friends and 9 per cent saying they did not feel included in their own families.

“We will need to look at what their problems are, and will be, as well as the problems of our generation,” she said.

“There is isolation and loneliness in our towns and rural areas for all sorts of reasons, often because people are proud and don’t want to admit to being lonely.”

The report said that major issues included people not being able to use digital services – which local councils now rely on; long working hours; people travelling long distances to work and not working in the communities they live in; family members moving away and poor access to transport. Second homes were cites as an issue in some communities.

The report notes specific concerns for gypsy and traveller community children.

Among its recommendations the report suggest more work on improving digital skills for all age groups and in all areas; health services making more of an effort to reach residents in rural areas as well as young people and taking steps when considering new developments to encourage measures which support community involvement.

Chairman of the county council people and communities committee Cllr David Walsh said the report had been commissioned to look at the extent of the problem and raise awareness of the issues.

“It was never for us to try and solve the problems…these things are better addressed at local level. We can make recommendations but it goes back to local communities to encourage people to look after and care for our neighbours.”