A survey of 1,000 over 50-year-olds revealed that many wish to engage in far more exciting activities than one may normally associate with older people.

Research conducted ahead of Generation Xperience UK Older People's Day on October 1st has indicated that rather than knitting, stamp collecting and reading, elderly people want to liven up their retirements by engaging in activities such as raising money for charity, bungee jumping and having more sex.

According to the Telegraph, some retirees wish to go to the 2012 London Olympics, take part in cultural pastimes such as the opera or see a show in London's West End.

Psychologist Dr Aric Sigman commented: "It's great that later life is approached with such a sense of optimism."

He added that the wish-list of goals indicates how people now expect more from retirement in terms of what they can achieve, the opportunities that are available to them and how they can find ways to contribute to society.

October 1st intends to celebrate the achievements of older people as well as tackle stereotypes and establish a positive stance towards later life.