Premier Ewart Brown and his wife Wanda hosted a tea for pensioners on Sunday to kick off the Island's annual Seniors' Week.

The event at the Botanical Gardens attracted almost 1,400 seniors.

Dr. Brown said: "For Wanda and me the Senior Citizens' Tea is always our favourite part of Seniors' Week. It is a long and cherished tradition that provides us a golden opportunity to thank our seniors for their contribution to our community.

"And today we had members of Parliament, civil servants and young people volunteer and serve our seniors, which is symbolically significant, as this served as a thank you gesture for all the years that seniors have served us."

Also speaking, newly appointed Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Neletha Butterfield said: "The worth of the values and principles that each of you has instilled amongst your children, grandchildren and other relatives, is immeasurable. You have so enriched and strengthened our nation home Bermuda.

"Hence, we are here today to honour, pay tribute to and publicly acknowledge and thank each of our honourees for what they have done.

"You are rich in oceans of wisdom, experience and knowledge, each of you has positively impacted the lives of so many others. By so doing you have enhanced the wider community and we therefore salute you as a significant part of the bedrock of Bermuda."

Seniors' Week continues with a variety of events including a fashion show.