A charity which supports people across Norfolk in later life has been warned to be the best that it can be as the county's ageing population mounts pressure on the voluntary sector.

Age UK Norfolk's annual general meeting yesterday heard how the charity had faced a 'very tough year' over the past year - but nevertheless had made some 'excellent achievements', including the launch of its dementia-friendly communities and partnership work with organisations such as the Joy of Food and Equal Lives.

The meeting, attended by more than 100 people and chaired by the charity's president Emily Millington-Smith MBE, also heard how the charity's income had increased by £171,000.

During his keynote speech, guest James Cochrane CBE, one of 11 commissioners for charity think-tank the Commission on the Voluntary Sector and Ageing, said charities were living through a period of 'extraordinary change' with a greater demand for services, less available funding and an ageing workforce.

He told charity chiefs to ensure they give 'value for money'.

'They need to show they are the best, the most professional and best value for money.

'All charities are facing challenging times as funding is drying up, the government - nationally and locally - is not going to fund in the way it used to and there are going to be fewer resources. Every charity in Norfolk has got to show it's providing really great services - they often are but they need to show it.'

Yesterday's meeting, held in Mattishall, near Dereham, was the charity's 67th AGM.

Are you helping to raise the profile of a Norfolk charity? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.