BUSINESSES in Mid Cheshire are looking to make the most of new anti-age discrimination legislation being introduced this autumn.

Figures show that in 10 years' time, half the UK's population will be aged 50 and over. This is reflected in an ever-growing aware-ness of pensioners' rights with Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 coming into force in October. It is expected to do for ageism in the workplace what sex and race discrimination laws achieved before it.

For employers, the most significant shake-up is the scrapping of the mandatory retirement, allowing workers to continue in their jobs after the age of 65 if bosses agree.

Colin Daniels, chief executive of the Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry which covers Mid Cheshire, says the law will be of great benefit to local businesses.

He said: 'It is a fact that we have an ageing population, in Cheshire in particular, and this is one way of addressing it.

'From businesses' point of view older workers have experience and will become a very valued part of the business community, because there's not as many young people coming through.'

The new law is also being welcomed by mature employees keen to stay at work rather than be put out to pasture.

Gill Clough, 58, of Age Concern Cheshire based in Hartford, said: 'Historically, we've very much assumed that when you reach a certain age you can't do certain things as well but it doesn't work like that and just putting a number on things is totally irrelevant.

'It's not age that's important, it's your ability to do whatever job you are doing so why not carry on if capable and happy to do so - the country is losing a valuable resource otherwise.

'I want to do something useful and meaningful as a member of society, I don't want to be marginalised completely to a life of leisure activities, spending my days going to coffee mornings!'

But not everyone at Age Concern is happy. Heyday, an organ-isation formed by the charity to help people prepare for retirement, is dismayed that those aged 65 will still have no guaranteed right to work past retirement as the final decision is entirely in the hands of the employer.

The body is seeking a judicial review of the law and director Ailsa Ogilvy said: 'Heyday has already gained support from people far and wide, including many in the Mid Cheshire area, and we are confident that the High Court will agree that the Government has a case to answer.'

She said anyone who wanted to support Heyday's campaign could sign the petition at www.heyday.org.uk.