Sixty great years of help for older people is being celebrated by a display now going the rounds of libraries in Wiltshire.

Age Concern Wiltshire celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and the Gazette and Herald and Wiltshire Times are helping them raise £60,000 to run their services.

The history display shows how the service has changed.

Liddy Davidson, director of Age Concern Wiltshire, said: “It’s amazing how the same needs come up throughout the 60 years, such as befriending and help with applying for benefits.”

Age Concern Wiltshire was formed in 1949 as an independent charity called the Wiltshire Old People’s Welfare Committee.

During the Second World War, the problems faced by older people were compounded as families became separated by the fighting, or lost their main breadwinner.

Over the years the service has developed. In the 1990s, for example, the Wiltshire Motorcycle Group held an annual Christmas pudding run in which they delivered festive cheer to residential homes. The tinsel-decorated bikers were often stopped by police asking what they were up to.

There are many photographs of the early days in the display which has been organised by Age Concern vice chairman Mike Weston.

He said: “We don’t know where or who the people in the pictures are. We would be most grateful for any information.”

Alongside the exhibition, the charity is running an essay and poetry competition with a £60 first prizes. Details on (01380) 727767.