Hundreds turnout for town's first Pensioners Fair, organised by Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid

More than 45 exhibitors held stalls at the event, organised by town MP Sajid Javid, to offer visitor's advice on health and safety or inform them of activities and events suitable for pensioners.

Mr Javid, who hosted today's fair, said: "There has been a much bigger turnout than we originally expected - we've had hundreds of people through the door. It's also been nice to see a lot of younger people here too - I've spoke with a lot of children and grandchildren of elderly residents, who have come because their parents or grandparents weren't able to make it or aren't very mobile - so that's been great to see as well."

Exhibitors included representatives from Avoncroft Museum, who talked to pensioners about their workshops and adult courses, and the Life After Stroke Centre, who tested visitors' blood pressures.

Hereford and Worcester Fire service reminded guests to check their fire alarms were working and West Mercia Police gave residents home security tips.

Several companies specialising in elderly care turned out to offer pensioners and their families advice on care services.

Zoe Mucklow, from Home Instead Senior Care, said: "I've heard some real horror stories about elderly care services, even in Worcestershire, so it's just so important for carers to take the time to understand the people they look after. We take them to events and appointments and we're very active looking for things for them to do. It's been a really good turnout today and people have shown a lot of interest."

Bromsgrove Ramblers, the Artrix, the Dolphin Centre and Bromsgrove's Bridge Club also held stalls, inviting pensioners to join them for upcoming events.

Bromsgrove pensioner Rita Kimberley, who visited the fair with her husband, said: "It's been very good - very informative. We found out about the activities held at Amphlett Hall, which we're interested in, and a gentleman from the fire service was very informative about checking our fire alarms.

"Citizens Advice were good as well - they gave us some advice because we've been having cold callers, and they said if we go online we can check the number, which is good because you never know who it could be. Especially when you're our age, you don't know who to go to.

"It's been very interesting and I think we've both found out a lot that we didn't know before."