A TRIO of go-getting pensioners teamed-up with youngsters in Burnley to take a walk on the wild side and participate in an adventure packed outing.

Young-at-heart Alice Carter, 79, Irene Wolstenholme, 77, and Cyril Bullock, 77, of the Orchard sheltered accommodation, near the Stoops Estate were accompanied by youngsters from the Rosegrove community in a day of fun which included off road driving and hawk flying.

And they have been so bitten by the adventure bug that they are planning to do an abseil next year!

The initiative was spearheaded by town's community wardens and managers at Orchard sheltered accommodation to help break down barriers in the community between younger and older residents.

Alice said: "We really enjoyed ourselves but I am determined to take part in an abseil next year.

"We couldn't do it this year because the weather was too bad. My doctor has told me to steer well clear but in my opinion you only get one chance in life and I am here to live it to the full."

Irene said the trip has made her change the way she thinks about youngsters living in the area.

She said: "The children were all really polite. There are some bad children living close by who cause problems for some of the residents but the way these youngsters were with us has made us realise they are not all bad and in fact we have more in common than we first thought."

The group visited the Land Rover testing course at Coniston Cold in North Yorkshire where they were put through their paces and were even driven through a river.

Alice added: "Going through the river was quite scary because I can't swim so I told them under no circumstances were we allowed to break down at that point or else I would be stranded and that wouldn't have been a pretty site."

Cyril added: "The Land Rover off road drive was unbelievable. At one point we were tipped at a 45 degree angle and I was sat at the side closest to the ground. It takes a lot to frighten me but I have got to admit I was rather scared.

"And when the falcon swooped onto my arm and took the meat it put the fear of God in me."

Pat Williams, Team Manager at Orchard Sheltered Accommodation, said: "The aim of the trip was to help bring young and old people together and break down some of the barriers that exist in the community. We are now looking at ways of taking this forward by organising other events which help youngsters integrate with the older community. We are hoping to put together a portfolio of the pictures and make a presentation to the youngsters which will give them chance to come back and visit Alice Irene and Cyril."