PENSIONERS from across East Lancashire could soon be taking trips to a 'reminiscence cafe' - full of items from the 1950s and 60s.

The Coldwell Cafe, at Coldwell Activity Centre in Pendle, often get visits from groups of care home residents, and is keen to make them feel more 'at home'.

The Southfield venue has launched an appeal for vintage items to help create the room.

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The idea of having 1950s and 60s rooms has already been adopted by a handful of care homes in East Lancashire, including Birch Hall in Darwen and Favordale Home for Older People, in Colne.

Michelle Greenwood, a Darwen-based dementia expert, said reminiscence rooms are a good way to make dementia sufferers feel calm and comfortable.

And Joanne Rowe, marketing coordinator at The Coldwell Cafe, said: "The idea is to possibly run tea and cake mornings for residents in homes who are suffering with dementia to help them reminisce.

"We wanted to do something different and nice for the groups that we get in, and we know it helps people with dementia to see items they might recognise from the past.

"We are looking for vintage items for the cafe, such as cups and saucers, cake stands , fabric, teapots, odd wooden chairs ,ration books and old photos of the area. If anyone has anything spare lying around that they can give us we will really appreciate this."

She hopes to open the room in the new year, and has asked care homes to get in touch and contribute ideas.

To contact Joanne, call 01282 601819 or email bookings@coldwell.org.uk