A “LONELINESS epidemic” is affecting retired people, according to campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen.

The popular broadcaster is raising awareness of the problem after a study conducted for Ringwood-based developer Churchill Retirement Living revealed one in four retirement aged people feel ‘too ashamed’ to admit they feel lonely to others.

Meanwhile, 25 per cent said they feel like too much of a burden to admit when they are unwell or need help in any way. This figure rose to 40 per cent in widowed people.

Many older people admitted they have even lied to loved ones about feeling lonely. Three in 10 people aged 60 and over said they hid the fact they were feeling lonely by telling people they enjoyed the peace and quiet.

The findings are echoed by the 90,000 callers to the Silver Line Helpline set up by Dame Esther to tackle loneliness in the older generation.

She said: “I know from personal experience there is still a stigma to admitting you’re lonely, but I believe we should be honest about our loneliness, so that others can help.

“We have a huge loneliness epidemic in this country, and it isn’t enough just to talk about it, we have to find ways of solving it.”

She continued: “Let’s all work together to leave loneliness behind in 2016. There is no shame in loneliness, and there are many things that can be done to break down the barriers it creates.

“When you know how much damage loneliness can do to physical and mental health, you realise how crucial it is that we all try to solve this problem.”

Dame Esther was recently announced as an ambassador for Churchill, and the company will continue to support the Silver Line as one of its three main charities.

Spencer McCarthy, Churchill’s chairman, added: “These results make for sobering reading, particularly when you look at the numbers who have hidden illnesses or feel they are a burden to others, or go for days or even months without seeing family or friends.

“However, there is help and support out there, whether it’s through joining a local group, calling the Silver Line or coming into one of our developments for a cup of tea and a chat.”