ADVICE workers are urging pensioners to sign up to a scheme that will keep them safer and warmer.

Wear Valley Citizens Advice Bureau is backing a campaign by independent gas and electricity group Energywatch to make sure more people know about the services available to people with special needs.

Free help is available to people who are disabled or chronically sick, pensioners and people with sight or hearing problems through a Priority Services Register.

This includes free gas safety checks, emergency heating in power cuts and protection against bogus callers.

CAB manager Peter Singer said: "We hope the campaign will mean more vulnerable people get a service better tailored to their needs."

For more information, call 08459 060708 or textphone 18001 0849 060708, or log on to www.energywatch.org.uk