The Oldie Magazine's tongue-in-cheek awards has given its top title to actress Dame Thora, 87, who recently appeared in the comedy Dinnerladies and Alan Bennett's Talking Heads.

Help the Aged's NPI Golden Awards honoured Sir Richard Attenborough for his lifelong contribution to the film and television industry - and four other pensioners for their outstanding achievements.

'Most Inexplicable Survivor'

Bett Boothroyd: Disciplinarian of the Year

Other winners of the lighthearted Oldies include the House of Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd, 69, named Disciplinarian of the Year and Sir Ludovic Kennedy, 79, celebrated as Campaigner of the Year for his stand on miscarriages of justice.

One of the more unusual awards was an honorary wooden spoon for the Most Inexplicable Survivor - given to the presenter Richard Whiteley, 55, for his 16-years spent on Channel 4's Countdown programme.

Terry Wogan: One of the judges

Humphrey Lyttleton, 77, and Jimmy Young, 75, were joint winners of the Survivors of the Year prize. It was given to the two for managing to keep their Radio 4 and Radio 2 shows throughout what The Oldie called the "BBC radio holocaust" where a number of younger presenters were sacked.

Judges for the Oldies were chairman Lord Hattersley, Terry Wogan, Mavis Nicolson, Libby Purves and Richard Ingrams.

Oldie winners in past years have included actor Richard Wilson, the Two Fat Ladies and Denis Thatcher.

Outstanding achievements

Richard Attenborough: Wins a Help the Aged Golden Award

The Help the Aged NPI Golden Awards were presented by celebrity presenters Sir Jimmy Saville and June Whitfield.

In addition to Lord Attenborough other senior citizens were rewarded for their outstanding achievements.