Children want to arrange coffee mornings, cake sales and tea dances to help stop their elderly neighbours feeling lonely or isolated.

The thoughtful suggestions were put forward by youngsters at Abbotsbury Primary School in Morden after a visit by councillors who make up the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

Earlier this year the scrutiny team wrote to schools and local organisations to ask what topics scrutiny committees should consider over the next year.

Abbotsbury put forward ideas and panel members and councillors went to talk to pupils on 30 September.

The school council wanted to send beauticians to older people’s homes to pamper them, provide transportation and internet access to enable people to connect with their family and friends, raise money through coffee mornings and cake sales to provide services for older people, and supply hamsters or goldfish for those who want pets for company.

Peter McCabe, chairman of the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel, said: “Loneliness is a huge cause of concern in society today, and it is great that the school council has asked us to look at this issue. The task group will take all their ideas on board and let them know the outcome of the review.”

The cross-party panel members will gather evidence over the next six months and compile a report on ways of reducing isolation and loneliness in older people. The report will then be given to the council’s Cabinet for consideration.