Hen-pecked old men are fleeing day care centres in York - because they are overrun with women.

Male pensioners, outnumbered by hordes of chattering ladies, say they can't bear it any more.

Bored and frustrated, the beleaguered OAPs are now calling for more exciting activities during their retirement days.

One 83-year-old man, from the Westfield area of York, said the problem with day centres was sheer boredom. He said: "You just sit there in a group from 8am to 3pm or whatever. There is nothing for the likes of me to do if I don't want to talk, talk, talk with the ladies."

His 80-year-old wife, who also did not want to be named, said: "He is so unhappy there."

And Lilian Dykes, 74, of Malham Grove, Tang Hall, York, whose husband Alf, 85, attended a day centre before his condition deteriorated and he was moved into residential care, said: "He says he felt it was like being in a prison. He could not keep still, he wanted activities. The day centre would have frustrated him had he stayed because there was nothing for him to do."

Monica Dunham, of Age Concern, said there was a particular problem with men suffering confusion or Alzheimer's because they could not leave the day centres unless they had supervision. Age Concern is now appealing for male volunteers in York to help.

She said: "As excellent as day centres are, they are not appropriate for some men, who are often very active and do not actually enjoy that kind of setting.

"They prefer playing bowls, or going for a walk or drive in the country. Also, they often like male company and day centres do have a lot of women.

"Our aim is the find male volunteers in York who can spare two hours a week to spend with men with confusion, to take them out, or play dominoes, cards, snooker or watch football with them."

Age Concern has teamed up with the Alzheimer's Disease Society, which provides volunteers to offer a sympathetic ear to carers while their husband or wife is taken out for the day.

Dr Christine Kirk, a consultant psychiatrist at York Health Trust, speculated that elderly men were less used to sitting around chatting because they were more likely to have had professional jobs in their lives than women.

But elderly people at the St Sampson's Centre in York had a different view yesterday. Fred Ward, 78, said: "Women are great company. I love coming here and talking to them."

And Joan Burns, 73, said: "I break into song sometimes and nobody has complained yet."

If you can spare time to help, contact Age Concern on 01904 627995.

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