A timebomb is ticking which could force millions of people on to the breadline, make taxes rocket and cause a crippling housing shortage.

The source of this impending explosion? A huge rise in the number of old people in Oxfordshire.

Improved diets and healthcare have seen the number of pensioners shoot up during the past few years - and the trend will continue into the Millennium.

The total number of people aged 85 or over in Oxfordshire increased from 8,200 to 10,400 between 1991 and 1996, and is set to get even higher in the next five years.

By the year 2000, forecasts suggest there will be about 1,700 more people over 85.

A survey by MORI claimed that old-timers have never had it so good. Having sex, line dancing and flirting are among their favourite ways of staying young.

Half the 1,000, 60 to 80 year-olds surveyed have unfulfilled ambitions that include bungee jumping, flying a Spitfire or conducting an orchestra in the Albert Hall.

This is all terribly good news. But the nation cannot afford to keep them.

The Government is currently running a two year campaign, called the Debate of the Age, to address the problem.

Its aim is to get 30 million people across Britain to give their views on welfare, healthcare, education, and the future of family and pensions.

Debate of the Age spokesman Kate Cutler said: "The need for action is urgent. Without a clear and precise programme to tackle this demographic timebomb, we will face serious problems in the 21st century. "The debate is all about preparation."We are saying to people: look, these are the problems. What should we do about it?"

The overriding question must be how we fund these extra old people. State pension provision will probably wither away, leaving companies and private schemes to pay.

Many middle-aged people are stockpiling wages into private pension schemes, fearing the state pension they expected will not exist in 20 years' time.

The cradle to the grave ideal has gone - because we are not getting into our graves quickly enough nowadays.

Felicity Andrews, of the chief executive's office at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "There are clearly implications for the services for the elderly. The elderly are just getting that much larger from a demographic point of view. The general state of health of the population in the elderly age groups is getting worse."

That means more cash will be needed for the health service. Three-quarters of all people aged 85 or over in Oxfordshire are women - the majority of whom are widows who have simply outlived their husbands.

Consequently, there are more lonely, frail, elderly women requiring care at home.

Indeed, a great many OAPs with long-life batteries will celebrate life at age 100 or even higher during the next few months.

Sian Griffiths, director of public health at Oxfordshire Health Authority, added: "More people are living to old age probably due to the gradual changes in lifestyle and prosperity, as much as medical advances." The facts

Henley has the highest proportion of old folk in Oxfordshire - 39 per cent are retired or not working

There are 10,400 people aged 85 or over in Oxfordshire

By the Millennium, there will be another 1,700

Women make up three-quarters of all people aged 85 or over in Oxfordshire

Men in Oxfordshire live for 75.9 years on average Longer lasting bodies Golden oldies are no bunch of Victor Meldrews.

According to a nationwide MORI poll, most believe they socialise more, are more active and generally lead a more interesting life than their parents did.

Two ton-up pensioners shared the celebrations at an old people's home this year.

Flo Goodall has reached 101 already, with a slight edge on her war veteran pal Arthur Humphries who is 'only' 100.

They are both living at the Blue Mountains Elderly People's Home in Wantage Road, Wallingford.

Manager Denise Wyatt said: "Mr Humphries is a very pleasant man and very unassuming.

"Mrs Goodall likes a joke, but she likes to be quiet as well - she doesn't like a lot of noise."

Their recipes for youth in later life are many and diverse, but few can match 74-year-old Bert, from London, who swears by "Whisky every night, sex three times a week and plenty of fruit and veg".

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.