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A quarter of British adults are too busy to spend time with their fathers, according to a report out today.

A survey by ICM Research for Help the Aged and Zurich Community Trust
also found that nearly half wanted more contact with their fathers.

As the number of elderly men living alone tops one million for the first
time, one in five adults have no contact with their fathers at all.

And two in five adults will not visit older fathers on Sunday, which is
Father's Day.

The report highlights increasingly hectic lifestyles and the fact that
many adults live far away from their fathers, as the main reasons for
the findings.

Help the Aged and Zurich Community Trust run a number of befriending
telephone projects.

Jane Boulton, of Zurich Community Trust, said: "Through our work with
Help the Aged, we have found that a simple phone call for a well-being
check or a chat can go a long way in helping older men maintain social
contact and foster a sense of independence.

"We also know that Sunday is particularly difficult for older people as
it's traditionally seen as the day when families spend time together.
Which is why, with Help the Aged, we're encouraging all adults to get in
contact with their older fathers this Father's Day."

Amy Swan, policy officer for Help the Aged, added: "Loneliness needn't
go hand in hand with ageing, yet for around 400,000 older men in the UK
it is their only constant companion.

"Losing a loved one, poor health and even leaving work can all lead to
social isolation and feelings of confinement. Today, tragically half a
million older men feel trapped in their homes.

"Nothing can substitute human contact to combat isolation and
loneliness. Whether it's setting up a regular phone call, visit or even
sending a letter - we can all play a part in helping alleviate that
social isolation felt by so many older people in the UK today."

:: ICM interviewed 2,000 adults across Britain by telephone between May
29 and June 1.