A pop video by a North director is proving a massive internet sensation - and bringing new meaning to the immortal line "Hope I die before I get old".

Newcastle-based director Geoff Wonfor - best known for his work on The Tube, Band Aid and the Beatles' Anthology - was recruited by the BBC to film a group of 40 pensioners singing a version The Who's My Generation for a documentary about ageing.

Playing under the name The Zimmers, the group with an average of 78 are seen apeing the 60s antics of The Who by smashing up their guitars and kicking over a drum kit.

But there is also a serious message in the video, with members of the group holding up signs with messages including: "Don't write me off 'cos I'm 90" and "I've not left my flat in three years."

Within days of being posted on the internet site YouTube, the video has pulled in more than 20,000 hits and won rave comments from hundreds of music fans.

Mr Wonfor said: "They rang me up and asked me if I'd like to do the video at Abbey Road. I said I'd love to.

"The first time I asked one of the group to kick over the drum kit, he was a bit tentative. But after that they all got into it really well and anything I asked, they were completely up for it."