A PENSIONER has received an award for a fact-finding mission she undertook in North America examining the images of pensioners.

Shirley Ellis, 65, from Hartlepool, helped to form the campaigning Retired Resource Network in the town, in an attempt to dispel images of elderly people as helpless and complaining.

As part of her work, she won a trip to the US and Canada from the Churchill Memorial Trust, to investigate the image of pensioners around the world.

During her nine-week tour, Mrs Ellis was invited to diverse cultural events.

She attended a Chinese banquet to celebrate the elders' moon festival in Montreal.

She also chaired a meeting of the leaders of retired people in Toronto and a conference of 18 native American tribes intent on improving community welfare.

Mrs Ellis said: "It was absolutely fantastic and out of this world. A chance of a lifetime.

"It was an amazing challenge. I got to work with people from all walks of life and the visit has definitely opened up opportunities to network with our cousins across the Atlantic."

In recognition of her work, Mrs Ellis has been presented with a medal from the Winston Churchill Foundation.