PEOPLE packed into the Market Hall for Bromsgrove and District Age Concern's 50+ exhibition.

Around 20 stalls from organisations which offer a service to elderly people were on hand at last Thursday's event to give advice and discuss burning issues.

Keith Sherman, chief officer for Bromsgrove and District Age Concern, said: "We are really happy about all these organisations coming to support us and we are really grateful for the turnout.

"The aim was to get together as many organisations who offer a service to older people and give elderly locals the chance to talk to them."

Among the key issues raised at the event were transport and crime.

"People think Bromsgrove is a very urban area," said Mr Sherman. "But actually it is highly ruralised and there isn't enough public transport to get people into the centre of Bromsgrove."

West Mercia police's crime risk manager PC Stan Baker said: "The fear of crime is higher than the reality. Crime is actually falling right across the North Worcestershire area.

"We are trying to address that and get people to consider the reality, because younger people are actually the biggest victims of crime."