A COUNCIL has introduced a scheme to give pensioners free sessions on a Nintendo Wii computer games console.

Cherwell District Council bought the console to give older people the chance to try sports such as tennis, bowling, baseball, golf and boxing –– and it proved so popular it plans to offer the service indefinitely.

Players have a hand controlwhich gives the impression of playing the real game, while a projector provides a 6ft-by-6ft image to show what is happening.

The Cluster Care Group in Cropredy, a day centre for elderly and frail people, tried out the device last week.

Group carer Moya Reed has already booked the Wii again for August.

She said the service was fantastic because the average pensioner could not afford to buy a Wii, which costs up to £250.

She said: “You should have seen my little old darlings enjoying it –– the youngest was 75 and the oldest in their 90s.

“They were playing the ten-pin bowling. First of all they were a little bit hesitant but by the end they were getting strikes –– and not just the odd one. They thought it was fantastic.”

Pensioners at the Sunshine Centre, in White Lion Walk, in Banbury, have also had a go.

Evelyn Viggers, 75, of Edmunds Road, said: “I had never touched a games console before, but that was the idea of it. It was really exciting, I wanted to bring it home with me.”

Vickie Zielinski, council community development manager, said other councils had asked Cherwell for advice on running similar schemes.

She said: “Keeping older people fit and healthy is one of our big priorities.

“Our team is trying to be as inventive as possible to make sure we reach the maximum number of people.”

Any group, day centre or residential home can book a session and a member of staff will come along to set up the equipment. To book, call 01295 221803.

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk