There were nearly 80 years separating the oldest resident at The Lawns sheltered housing complex in Great Yarmouth from its party of young visitors – but they were all soon speaking the same language.

Teenage students from Yarmouth High School brought along their laptops, tablets and hi-tech phones to introduce residents to the world of Skype, emails and computer games.

And the pensioners, ranging in age from nearly 70 to 94, showed their visitors how to play old-fashioned games such as tiddly-winks and snakes and ladders.

Carole Nisbett, manager at the Norse-staffed site in Caister Road, said: 'We wondered what we could do to celebrate National Care Homes Day and decided to get in touch with Yarmouth High School.'

She said it was a great idea to teach the residents about Skype and emailing because some of them had relatives in other parts of the country and it would be a useful way to keep in touch.

'Playing old-fashioned games brings back a lot of memories for the residents from their childhood and about happy times like Christmas. And it is also fun for the teenagers, most of whom won't have a clue about games such as Snakes and Ladders,' she said.

Beatrice Neslen, 94, who has five great-grandchildren, said: 'It is a real pity they don't play the old games these days.'

Janet Symons, 75, said: 'My son is all into computers but I don't think he believes I would be able to pick it up. I am keen to show him.'

Charli Hudson, 15, admitted to enjoying the new challenge of tiddly-winks while Courtney Kimber, 15, focused on teaching residents how to play cards – on a laptop.

Teacher Helen Hyde said a lot of youngsters did not have much contact with elderly relatives so it was a good way of bridging the age gap.