Almost as many people aged between 51 and 60 have had a similar experience, revealing that many employers do not realise that age discrimination is illegal.

A survey of 1,400 adults, including 131 over 60 and 550 aged between 51 and 60, also found that most older applicants keep their date of birth off their CV to improve their chances of being hired.

Almost half of over 51-year-old jobseekers have applied for more than 50 posts in the last six months, with most only receiving five or fewer responses.

Jobs website totaljobs.com said its research showed that most older people looking for work believed the employment crisis was focused too much on younger adults.

John Salt, director at totaljobs, said: "It is alarming that so many senior jobseekers feel that they are at a disadvantage because of their age."

Article from Express and Star