AN OTLEY supermarket is backing a campaign designed to help older shoppers.

Housing association Anchor is calling for shops across the country to keep in-store seating.

The national Standing Up 4 Sitting Down campaign is in response to research showing that the amount of seating in public spaces is falling.

More than 600 Sainsbury's stores, including Otley's, have agreed to support the campaign which aims to benefit anyone with mobility or health problems.

That backing has been welcomed by staff and residents at local Anchor homes including The Laureates, in Guiseley.

Manager of The Laureates, Julie Allinson, said: "It is great that 600 Sainsbury’s branches across the country, including the one in Otley, will support the Standing Up 4 Sitting Down campaign.

"Older people are often cut off from the online world, so it’s crucial we enable them to connect in other ways.

“Anchor’s campaign calls for change that benefits everyone.

"For shops, providing seating is a great opportunity to boost footfall and spending.

"For older people, it offers the opportunity for important social contact to tackle loneliness, encourages physical exercise, and allows a generation the chance to live later life to its fullest."

Head of Customer Experience at Sainsbury’s, Clare Muscutt, added: "We work hard to make our supermarkets an inclusive and welcoming environment for customers.

"We provide chairs at the back of our checkouts for anyone that would find them useful, as well as offering assistance at all times to customers who may need additional help shopping in store with us.

"We fully support the Standing Up 4 Sitting Down campaign and hope customers will make use of this seating when they visit our supermarkets."

Backed by a string of charities, the campaign is also being supported by Debenhams, Hotter, and more than 200 independent retailers across England.