HOSPITAL staff at an NHS trust will be given the chance to work beyond the normal retirement age of 65.

The move, by South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, is ahead of European Union legislation due to come into force in October next year.

It is hoped the move will help the trust retain valued staff and attract older recruits.

A spokesman for the trust said guidelines have been introduced to recognise that reaching 65 should not be a barrier to working longer.

Management and staff agreed that any person who wants to work beyond 65 may do so, provided they are medically fit and performing satisfactorily.

Next year, European employment law will place a duty on all employers to have a policy that retirement age will be at least 65.

Employees will also have a right to request to work beyond 65 and for their request to be considered by their employer.

The trust has already allowed a few employees to work after 65 if they occupied a hard-to-fill post.

Over-50s make-up a large proportion of workers at the trust. A spokesman said managers and staff believed the move "will assist us to recruit and retain the skills and experience that older staff can bring to the organisation".