More than 18,000 Darlington pensioners are braced for the government to restrict the winter fuel allowance.

Harry Beadnell, 80, and his wife have warned that this is yet another blow for his age group as the "hardest hit pensioners".

Mr Beadnell and his wife earn a couple of pounds more a month than the cut-off for the winter fuel payment and they will "both suffer traumatically" if they lose it.

Under the proposed new rules, the winter fuel payments will only be made to people receiving less than £218.15 per week (or £332.95 for couples) through pensions and other benefits.

MPs will be voting on this change today in the House of Commons.

More than 500,000 people have signed an online petition started by Age UK to save the winter fuel payment to put pressure on MPs.

In Darlington last year 20,771 people received the winter fuel payment and now 18,164 of them are set to lose it. 

The 80-year-old suffers from chronic arthritis, needs urgent prostate surgery and has waited more than two years for a right hip replacement - losing financial assistance for heating is the last thing he needs after "a lifetime" of work.

He believes that losing heating this winter would leave them with "no idea where to turn to".

He said: "This government made a promise to pensioners before being elected and has immediately reneged on that promise.

"I do hope that after a lifetime of hard work until retiring people in our position it will be re-instated again so that we will be able to receive the £300 allowance which makes such a difference within our age group as one of the hardest hit pensioners.

"We will both suffer traumatically from loss of heating this winter and have no idea where to turn for help to keep us both warm.

"I worry that the coldness will lead to dampness that will eventually affect our home through lack of heating and will leave us with mildew yet another problem for us to contend with."

David Cadman, 65, supports the move by the Government as he has read stories of pensioners spending their allowance on vintage bottles of wine.

He said: "I'll probably give the minority view. I don't believe it should be give to all pensioners.

"There have been stories of people giving WFP to charity, using it for winter holidays, even buying a vintage bottle of wine!

"There are many comfortable pensioners who simply do not need it.

"People saying that it has been scrapped annoys me, it is still there for the needy.

"The Government does have a big problem though in finding the people who need it.

"The main grief I can sympathise with is that some pensioners who have worked all their adult life cannot apply for benefits, while others do, and will as a result receive more money.

"I think that is wrong, so just giving WFP to those who claim benefits does not work."

Another pensioner, who did not wish to be named, slammed the "horrendous" decision for hurting people who had contributed so much to the economy and society.

He said: "I'm still working so I'm not in the same position as many people.

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"Anyone who is relying on a pension will lose a good chunk of support. It's just horrendous.

"Their whole lives and contribution to the economy and society is worth more than this.

"It goes against the grain of everything Labour should be standing for."