YOUNGSTERS from Basildon rolled out the red carpet to welcome elderly people as part of a community-led project.

Pupils from the De La Salle and Woodlands schools met pensioners from across the district for the day as part of the Our Basildon, Our Memories reminiscence project.

Pensioners have been recording their thoughts and memories of the past and discussing how Basildon has changed over the past 60 years for the project.

Pupils cooked their mature new friends lunch at De La Salle school and gave them a classroom tour.

Clodagh O’Connor, spokesman for both schools involved, said “It was wonderful to see the old and young learning from each other and building up such good community spirit.

“There will be more invitations to our new friends to come back.”

Our Basildon, Our Memories has been funded by NHS South West Essex. The material gained through the scheme will go to the University of Essex to be studied and archived.