YOUNGSTERS and seniors bridged the generation divide in Dorch-ester.

They joined in an intergenerational day at Dorchester Youth and Community Centre.

A group of young people, known as the Positive Images Group, organised the event to help improve relations and perceptions between younger and older people.

Josh James, 18, from Winterborne Monkton, helped organise the day.

He said that people often had negative images of young people which made people think that all were anti-social and unapproachable.

He added: “We want to run events to help get rid of this stereotype and, more importantly, make ties in local communities between all age groups.”

With the help of Dorset’s Partnership for Older People’s Project (POPP) and Age Concern, the group set up the social event with fun activities.

They included giant Jenga, hula-hooping, skipping, jacks, playing on the Nintendo Wii and barn dancing.

Councillor Trevor Jones, county councillor for Dorchester, took part and said: “I didn’t know what to expect and was quite apprehensive as this was clearly not going to be like another council committee meeting.

“It was a new and different exp-erience for me. I tried new things, like playing on the Wii, and, once the ice was broken, found it very easy to interact with everybody, both young and old.”

Wendy Hilton, 58, of Dorchester, added: “It was lovely meeting different people, both young and old. Each age group has an impression of the other because they don’t spend any time together. We don’t do enough shared activities and it’s a pity there aren’t more opportunities for people of all ages to get together.”

The Positive Images Group is now planning on holding similar events across the county.