ONE in 10 old people in Yorkshire is lonely.

That was the finding today of a survey conducted by NOP World for the Help the Aged charity.

It reveals the true extent of loneliness among older people in Yorkshire and Humberside, with more than 112,000 (11%) feeling lonely.

The findings come as the charity launches an national awareness and fundraising campaign called Helping Unite Generations (Hug), which aims to help end loneliness among older people.

A Help the Aged spokes- man said: "The survey makes depressing reading. Far too often we shunt older people into the sidings of life, leaving them without enough money and activity - but, above all, human warmth.

"Our Hug campaign is important because, in addition to raising funds to help with practical solutions, it also aims to unite generations and challenges all our families, friends and neighbours, to bring our oldest and frailest citizens in from the cold of our indifference and neglect".

Other findings for Yorkshire and Humberside from the survey were:

* About 357,000 (35%) feel out of touch with the fast pace of modern life

* Over 71,000 (7%) feel cut off from society

* More than 214,000 (21%) do not feel valued as an older member of society.