UK pensioners are lonelier, poorer and unhealthier than their European counterparts, an international study has revealed.

Think-tank Demos has conducted a report which found that over-65s in Britain are more likely to suffer from a long-term health condition than those in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden - the other countries analysed in the study.

Of the four countries, pensioners in the UK are at most risk of living in poverty, with around a fifth found to be at risk in 2010.

The report, which was conducted for older people's charity WRVS, also showed that elderly people in the UK feel more isolated than their counterparts on the continent.

David McCullough, chief executive of WRVS, said: "This research highlights the sad truth about growing old in Britain today and should act as a wake up call.

"From WRVS' own experience working with older people, we know that increased social interaction and more socialising between generations are hugely beneficial in combating not only loneliness, but also health problems."