PENSIONERS in Wear Valley could be missing out on vital funding because they do not realise their entitlements.

County Durham Partners Against Poverty has revealed that 25 per cent of pensioners in receipt of housing and council tax benefit living in Wear Valley have yet to apply for pension Credit.

Peta Cockburn, dales locality manager for Age Concern, said: "Old people, particularly, in the dales have a history and tradition of making do with what they have got and can be reluctant to investigate whether they are entitled to more.

"It can make the difference to an older person between making the decision whether they can afford to put on the gas fire during the winter or not, and taking away that worry means so much to them."

A campaign is being launched this week by the County Durham Partners Against Poverty to encourage pensioners to review their benefits.

The Age Concern Pick It Up battle bus will visit Bishop Auckland Market Place on Friday, from 10am to noon, then go on to Crook Civic Centre, Crook, from 1pm to 3pm.

A team of advisors from the partnership will be on the bus to help pensioners assess their entitlement.

The bus will then tour the villages in the Wear Valley area in the coming weeks.

Councillor John Davis, Durham County Council's cabinet member for community development, said: "The new pension credit now rewards people who have savings or have a small works or private pension. We want to make sure everyone gets what they are entitled to."