PENSIONERS can live the Jack and Victor lifestyle by applying for a council flat in a high rise.

Two tower blocks, where more than half the residents are already over the age of 60, have been designated as ideal homes for older people.

Milton Court in Airdrie and Whamond Tower in Motherwell have been chosen by councillors in North Lanarkshire as the perfect location for pensioners.

Both blocks have concierge services and upgraded lifts, while each have wheelchair access, power door entry systems and CCTV cameras which are monitored around the clock.

Earmarking the flats for pensioners is thought to be one of the first projects of its kind in Scotland and comes at a time when a number of multi- storey blocks in Glasgow are being demolished.

North Lanarkshire's head of housing services Elaine McHugh said: "Through our tower block strategy and discussions with locals, we have identified these towers as places older people want to live.

"They offer safe, secure and clean homes in areas we already have a number of older residents living. The size of the flats also tends to be what older people are looking for.

"The towers are close to shops, services and community facilities and our feedback has shown people enjoy a real sense of community spirit in the blocks. Having local facilities at close hand is also of particular benefit to those with limited mobility."

Each block has community rooms which currently host book clubs, bingo sessions and social evening, while visiting hairdressers also use them as makeshift salons.

There are no plans to evict residents currently living in the blocks who are under the age of 60 but any who want to move out are being urged to contact housing officials.

Greg McCracken, policy officer at Age Scotland, said: "Residents will require safeguards, so any safety or access problems - such as faulty lifts - are quickly resolved.

"It is important to acknowledge many older people would prefer to live within mixed age communities. Social landlords should seek to provide a balance of choices which suit the diverse needs and wishes of older individuals to ensure they enjoy the highest quality of life wherever they live."

The local authority's housing operations manager Stephen Llewellyn said: "Lifts are of course a key aspect to any tower block. We have recently invested substantially in upgrading all our lifts and they undergo regular maintenance to keep them in good working order."

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk