Issues affecting older people are likely to figure prominently in the run up to the election.

Care from home, the availability and cost of care homes and the level of the state pension will be hot topics as the parties seek to woo the grey vote.

Older people are more likely to exercise their right to vote than other demographics.

Research has shown that many older people have still not decided who to go for and their votes could decide some key seats.

Gordon Brown's Budget speech contained some sweeteners aimed at older people, but the government will face a battle with the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives for vital votes.