A RECORD number of pensioners have been granted places in care homes across Britain, amid claims the entry criteria are easier than ever.

Over half a million senior citizens were offered board at their first choice old folks’ home with another 125,000 going to one in Leicester through clearing.

Retired headmistress Margaret Gerving, achieved 81 years, mild senility and a varicose vein, which was enough to win a place at the Angry Swan Rest Home in Guilford.

But she dismissed claims that the selection process was anything other than arduous: “I worked really hard. Anyone who thinks I’m not infirm enough to have all my meals cooked for me forever should take a look at the backs of my legs. The left one’s like a bag of M&Ms.”

Veteran care home resident Roy Hobbs, 109, believes the advances in technology are responsible for pensioners gaining higher age scores.

“Some of these new octogenarians have cordless phones with giant buttons making it easier to alert a neighbour after one of their flappy turns. How is that fair? You tell me.

“I remember when just a privileged few went to care homes. Used to be you’d have to throw yourself down some stairs but now all you need to do is wet your knickers near a band stand.”

Care worker Martin Bishop said he had seen an increasing number of overcrowded day-rooms, adding: “Many of these OAPs have gone to a care home without any real thought about their future.

“The sad truth is for many of them, there won’t be a decent sing song at end of it and most of them will be forced take part in menial activities like Crazy Eights or Giant Jenga.”