DRESSED in bright shirts and hula skirts, elderly residents enjoyed a Hawaiian-themed silver surfers’ day.

Cottsway Housing, based in Witney, organised the event with the charity Age UK to give those over the age of 55 the chance to come along and try out computers and the Internet.

They were encouraged to wear Hawaiian dress, with prizes awarded for the best two outfits.

Cottsway staff also wore Hawaiian shirts, donating money to Against Breast Cancer for the privilege. Year 11 pupils from Witney’s Henry Box School, in Church Green, came along to sit with the residents, guiding them through the Silver Surfers’ website and keeping them on track.

Sam Biddle, Cottsway’s community development worker, said: “The day was a huge success and the feedback from residents has been excellent.

“For many this was their first opportunity to use a computer and we have many residents now signed up to Age UK’s six-week computer course programme.”

Ruth Swift, a community development worker for Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “Many of us take for granted how much computers and the Internet can do.

“We hope to encourage older people to come along and sign up to longer-term courses and really understand the benefits of what computers and the Internet can do for them.”