IF AGE is purely a state of mind then we should all take a leaf out of Roy Griffin’s book.

The 73-year-old from Lower Cumberworth has been awarded a degree in historical studies at Huddersfield University.

His motto is that age is what you make it. Quite right, too. The trouble is, the rest of the population doesn’t always think the same way.

We live in a time where ageism is rife despite new laws introduced last year. All too often older people are pensioned off early, dismissed as yesterday’s folk who have no relevance or say in the fast-paced society of today. Instead of seeking out their knowledge and experience pensioners are, at best, side-lined and, at worst, treated with disdain and contempt.

They should be the backbone of our communities. Instead they are very often invisible or patronised. It’s a shoddy state of affairs.

Roy’s ethos is the right one. An active mind leads to a healthy body and age should never be a barrier in life.