WEST Somerset's reputation as a retirement haven has been officially confirmed with a new study revealing the district will have more people aged 50 or over than anywhere else in the country by next year. But the report by the Government spending watchdog, the Audit Commission, concludes that councils generally - particularly those with the fastest ageing populations - are largely unprepared for the challenges an older population will present. Don't Stop Me Now - Preparing for an ageing population - published yesterday (Thursday) reveals that by 2009 more than half the people in West Somerset - 53 per cent - will be aged 50 or over, compared to just 34 per cent nationally. By 2019 the figure will have grown to 60 per cent and a decade later it will continue to be one of the highest at 63 per cent, with just 39 per cent in England as a whole. But the report also reveals that most council services focus on the minority who require social care, excluding the invisible majority who may end up isolated and vulnerable if ignored. And it concludes that the needs of the ageing population are very diverse, with the interests and long term needs of the over 50s very different to those aged over 80. Despite the stereotypes, nationally just three per cent of people aged between 65 and 80 live in residential care. Audit Commission chairman Michael O'Higgins said: "Ex-punk rockers and Rolling Stones fans are not going to be happy with a cup of tea and daytime TV. "As people live longer, those who can help them stay well and independent need to be a little more imaginative." The study on which the report is based was carried out between last July and February this year. Researchers interviewed a total of 235 in ten local authorities - a mix of county, borough and unitary councils - while four older 'mystery shoppers' approached 49 councils to identify the everyday challenges in accessing council services. In addition, a total of 175 older people took part in 15 focus groups. The results showed only a third of councils were well prepared for an ageing population, although a further third were making progress. However, all councils were found lacking when it came to understanding older communities and the need to shape both universal and targeted services accordingly. Increased awareness, better engagement and innovation could help many older people without significant expenditure, concluded the report, while the "vigour" of local action by councils was often not determined by the extent of local need. The report recommends coucils should: * Reassess their approach to the ageing population. * Identify how they can work with older people and local partners to make more efficient use of public and community resources * Tackle stereotypes and myths that prevent older people being fully engaged in the community and receiving appropriate services. * Target spending to have the most impact and improve evaluation. * Link demographic profiles and community needs in age-proofing mainstream services and designing targeted services. * Use the report to support a management review or councillor scrutiny of support for wellbeing in later life.