Problems with a mail order company first encouraged Ray Gosling and his wife, Judy, to seek advice from staff at Age UK Norwich.

The couple, from Cromwell Road, in Sprowston, near Norwich, paid a visit to its Redwell Street headquarters because they were worried after a company was threatening to take legal action over claims a bill had been unpaid.

Mr Gosling, 76, who used to work for the DVLA, said staff were quickly able to help with the problem.

'It was about three years ago and we had a dispute about payment for blouses my wife bought,' he explained.

'We couldn't settle anything with them and they were piling on administration costs.

'We went to Age UK Norwich and the lady there was very helpful. She wrote a number of letters for us and it was finally resolved.'

After that visit the couple then sought advice about whether they needed to think about moving from their home of 50 years into sheltered housing.

'I mentioned to them about looking after ourselves when it becomes more difficult and I got a number of booklets from them. Their advice was to stay where we were and get a certain amount of help where necessary.

'We've lived here for 50 years and we didn't want to move, but we talked it through with them and it was no problem.

They advised on adaptations we could make.

'We have now got a downstairs toilet and a bathroom upstairs.'

More recently, as the couple have wondered about whether they need to get their legal and financial affairs in order, they have sought advice on seeking Legal Powers of Attorney.

'I am of an age where these things have to be thought through,' Mr Gosling explained. 'They helped us in respect of that and the form filling.

'I really don't think I could have done it without their help.'

But the former vehicle registration official said it was not all serious work he had been in touch with the Age UK team about, as he had also been interviewed about his experiences growing up in the city.

'They made some recordings about my life growing up in Eade Road and Wensum park,' he added.