THEY SAY life was better back in the day and research suggests many older people in Dorset believe that to be true.

More than half of adults over 60 in the county who took part in a survey said it was better being a child 50 years ago than it is now.

Making dens, knowing all your neighbours and playing conkers were highlighted as some of the best things about being a child half a century ago.

Simple pleasures such as reading Enid Blyton books, playing outside until it got dark and collecting shells on the beach were also treasured memories from childhood.

The poll by retirement housebuilder McCarthy and Stone found that the older generation are now sharing skills such as good table manners, riding a bike and how to plant seeds.

Of the Dorset grandparents surveyed, 37 per cent said they taught their grandchildren how to identify bids and 36 per cent told them how to identify plants and flowers.

McCarthy and Stone, which has developments in Poundbury and Weymouth, conducted the poll to mark its 40th anniversary and partnership with older people's charity the Royal Voluntary Service.

Regional sales and marketing director Kim Caldwell said: "These findings illustrate how things have changed in the last 50 years and how grandparents are shaping their grandchildren’s childhoods by sharing their own experiences of growing up.

"They also show that practical skills are being passed down through the generations such as baiting a fishing hook and cooking a traditional Sunday roast. By passing on these talents the older generation are ensuring valuable and practical skills won’t die out."

The findings were released to mark the launch of a search for GrandMakers to support the RVS annual GrandFest, a one-day festival in London on June 18 celebrating the talents of older people and heritage skills they can pass on to the younger generation.

Television and radio personality, Gloria Hunniford, is lending her support to McCarthy and Stone and the RVS in their search for GrandMakers.

She said: "Being a grandparent is a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience and passing on practical skills and sharing experience which made my own childhood special has to be one of the most satisfying and enjoyable aspects of spending time with my grandchildren.

"So many people of my generation would make perfect GrandMakers.

"We all have different interests, knowledge and skills which have given us great pleasure over the years.

"GrandFest is a fantastic opportunity to share this expertise with younger people and to inspire the next generation to enjoy these hobbies and experiences."

For more information visit grandfest.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk