A Pudsey-based recruitment firm has been chosen to champion the Government's Age Positive campaign.

The Baker Harding Group has joined a band of organisations, which are being led by the Department for Work and Pensions, to tackle the issue of age discrimination.

The scheme, which is being spearheaded by Ian McCartney, minister of state for pensions, aims to tackle the issue in the workplace and help organisations to become age positive.

One in four people in Britain experience age discrimination, which means companies which base job decisions on age alone are reducing their choice of candidates by up to a quarter.

Age Positive hopes to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding younger and older employees, instead placing the emphasis on skills and ability. Rob Jowsey at Baker Harding, which was chosen for its good practice on age in recruitment, said: "Age discrimination is wasteful of talent and is harmful to individuals and organisations.

"As an organisation we actively promote age diversity within the workforce to ensure that people are judged, not by their age, but according to their skills and abilities at work.

"Through age discrimination, commerce and industry are potentially missing a committed sector of the working populace with so much to offer in terms of skills and experience - people who could give an organisation a competitive edge."

The Government agreed in 2000 to an EU directive which commits it to introducing legislation on age by 2006.

Ian McCartney added: "In support of future legislation, the Age Positive campaign now aims to raise awareness of the issue now and show how employing a mixed-age workforce can have a positive impact."

The Pudsey firm has already reaped the benefits its age policy brings. The company has a very low rate of absenteeism and finds its employees are able to share their skills and experience.

For further information visit www.agepositive.gov.uk.