CHRISTCHURCH continues to live up to its reputation as an ancient borough with an increasing and increasingly ageing population, according to the latest survey by the council.

Figures compiled in the second edition of the State of Christchurch profile drawn up by town hall officers show that there are 50 per cent more over-90s than there are toddlers under four.

And despite having the highest death rate in Dorset, the population of Christchurch has grown to an estimated 45,300 residents of which:

More than a half are over 50;

36 per cent, the highest proportion in the UK, are pensioners;

more than one fifth, the highest proportion in Dorset, have a limiting long-term illness;

12 per cent, the third highest in England and Wales, are widowed.

But as the older generation moves in - typically paying cash for houses £45,000 more expensive than the national average - there is a demographic dip in the 20-30 age group as young adults are forced to leave the borough in search of work and affordable housing.

Council head of corporate policy David Barnes, author of the State of Christchurch, said much of the information merely updated and confirmed what was already known, but there were some surprises.

While the well documented and debated issues of age structure and property prices hinted at an affluent population, average household income was low in comparison with other Dorset districts with pockets of poverty in the borough and many household incomes below the £15,000 benchmark.

The survey also found a high level of problems with literacy and numeracy among the adult population of the borough which had the highest proportion of residents without qualifications.

Mr Barnes, who will be presenting the document to the council meeting next week, said: "About 80 per cent of the information we already know, but this is just updating it and keeping the issues in the forefront of people's minds.

"Plotting the trends is one thing, responding to them is not so easy, but we would be criticised if consideration was not given to what can be done either by the council or through lobbying other bodies."

First published: Sept 9