Who are Britain's bestgrandparents?

Find out on October 15^th

PRESS CONFERENCE AND PHOTOCALLINVITE

AgeConcern invites you to the most heartwarming event of the year; Grandparent ofthe Year 2003, sponsored by Woolworths Plc. GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips willbe adding a touch of celebrity glamour as she announces the winner at theprestigious BAFTA HQ in central London.

Where:          BAFTA, 195Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LN

           When:           Wednesday 15^thOctober

           Time:             Awardsceremony                                   11.00am - 12.00pm

                                   Press conference & photos        12.00pm - 12.45pm

Thetension is mounting! Will the winners be Helen & Eddie from Norfolk at 47and 49 years of age, the youngest regional finalists? Or perhaps the footballmad Gran who plays in goal for her grandson? It could be the game for a laughGran who has made her family smile through some very hard times, or even theabseiling Granddad who has taught his Granddaughter to overcome herdifficulties and be a real daredevil?

Therewill be a chance to put your questions to the winning grandparent and FionaPhillips at a post-announcement press conference. Photocall and filmingopportunities will also be available.  As space is limited RSVP isessential.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

Details of the nine regional finalists areattached.

Photographic and filming opportunitieswill also be available. To arrange in advance please contact the Age Concernpress office:

Lucy Winter 020 8765 7513, winterl@ace.org.uk or

Liz Hickey on 020 8765 7516, (m) 07721 834 680, hickeye@ace.org.uk

Radio interviews will be available onthe day with all the regional finalists. Please call Liz Hickey on 07732 834680 or Priscilla Schroeder on 020 8765 7503.

Further information about last year'sevent and pictures of Fiona with last year's winner, Jim Dunlop, 77 areavailable.

Interviews with the sponsor Woolworthsare also available.

Radio producers and picture editors -please note that Age Concern has an ISDN facility (020 8679 8379).

The regional finalists

Carlton (South East& London) regional winners

Pat and Tony Penny fromForest Hill, London - nominated by their grandson Reece, 7.

Reece nominated his Nanand Grandad because they are always there for his family. They were verysupportive following a family bereavement, when Reece lost his baby sister.They look after their grandchildren so that their parents can continueworking.  Reece loves football, and Nan plays in goal for him in allweathers so he can hone his shooting skills.

Central (Midlands)region winners

Hilda Taylor ofWednesbury, West Midlands - nominated by granddaughter Ruth, 15.

Ruth nominated her grandmabecause she is so supportive of her family. When Ruth's home was damaged in afire, Hilda insisted that the family all stay with her and she slept on thesofa. After a mugging four years ago, Hilda was nervous about going out. Sheovercame her fear and now shops and gardens for neighbours 20 years' younger.She has dressed up as Father Christmas and a Dalmatian for children! She haswon a yard of ale competition and was always the first on to the rollercoasters on a dream family holiday to America.

East Anglia (East ofEngland) regional winners

Helen and EddiePurchase of Fakenham, Norfolk - nominated by their grandson Michael, 11.

Michael nominated hisgrandparents because they do so much for others. As well as their own 5children and 3 grandchildren, including Michael, they also foster 3 boys. Theyhave been fostering for 6 years, and previously worked with homeless youngpeople and young offenders. They supported Michael through his parents divorce.They look after him after school and take him off-roading in the Landrover withhis cousins and their foster children. They are always laughing together.

Granada (North West)regional winner

Iris Sharples ofSalford, Greater Manchester - nominated by her granddaughter Gemma, 18.

Gemma nominated her Granas she is her best friend as is always there for her to talk to. Iris loves todance and has won four disco competitions. She works at the Disney Storein Manchesterand is called Disney Gran by all the children who shop there who have adoptedher as their own! She still climbs trees and does cartwheels and is always alistening ear for her three granddaughters. She even dressed up as a nun andre-enacted the Sound of Music, running up and down sand dunes to make them alllaugh following a family bereavement.

Meridian (SouthEngland) regional winner

Ray Woolven ofPeacehaven - nominated by his granddaughter, Rebecca, 7.

Rebecca nominated hergranddad because he makes her life magical. He has built a play area in hisback garden, with slides, swings and trampolines so that his grandchildren havesomewhere to enjoy themselves. He and Rebecca are always making things, andmade a dream-catcher to chase away her nightmares. He taught Rebecca to rideher bike and his house is always full of laughter.

Scotland's regionalwinners

Anne and Phillip Hogan,of North Lanarkshire - nominated by their granddaughter Shanice, 11.

Shanice nominated hergrandparents because they are her best friends. Anne is known as "GroovyNana" because  of her funky outlook and love of  dancing andpop. She loves Shane from Westlife almost as much as Shanice! Phillip, known asPapa to his grandchildren, is nicknamed "Fix It Phil" as he is alwaysmaking things and fixing them when they break down. The family rely on him toget things working again and he always has projects on the go.

South West regionalwinners

Peter and Beryl Brownof Plymouth - nominated by their granddaughter Claire, 19.

Claire has nominated hergrandparents as they are always there to support her and her family. She wasborn with a serious condition which has resulted in her needing several seriousoperations, including open heart surgery. They look after her brother when shegoes into hospital, and are always there for Claire to talk to. Their energeticand giving approach to life is an inspiration to her. Peter and Beryl are veryactive in their local communities, working with disabled children and theSalvation Army. Peter is also a handyperson for older people in the community.

Yorkshire/Tyne Teesregional winners

Beattie Ware -nominated by her grandson Scott, 15.

Scott, one of Beattie's 21grandchildren, nominated his grandma because she works so hard to do so muchfor others. Beattie was a local councillor for 27 years and Lord Mayor of Hullfrom 2000-2001. Although she is no longer a councillor she is a governor at alocal school and does a lot of fundraising and development work in the localcommunity. She visited Sierra Leone 15 years ago and has raised over 10,000for its Connaught Hospital fund. She has also raised a further 30,000 forother charities. She still finds time to go to all her grandchildren's sportsdays and school assemblies and has an open door and open arms for them anytime.

Welsh regionalwinners

John Vasey of Wrexham -nominated by his granddaughter Gemma, 10.

Gemma nominated hergrandad because he is her best friend. A retired college lecturer, he nowvolunteers as a teacher at his grandchildren's schools. He built a hot airballoon for Gemma's class and took her on holiday to see a dolphin that she hasadopted. Although he does not live nearby he phones every day.