PENSIONERS in east Dur-ham have been helped to claim benefits of more than £310,000 in the past 12 months.

County Durham Partners Against Poverty (CDPAP) which includes Easington District Council's benefits section, the pension Service and Age Concern, has spent the past 12 months working to recover money owed to elderly people.

Since last April, trained staff and volunteers at Age Concern Durham have acted on behalf of pensioners who are being looked after in their homes, to claim attendance allowance.

As a result, 64 claims have been successful, bringing in £310,775 in benefits, with a further 94 claims outstanding.

Councillor Joan Freak, executive member for social inclusion on Easington council said: "Attendance allowance is not a benefit which is widely claimed by older people, but one which can help them a great deal if they need help in their homes.

"CDPAP is delighted that so much money has been recovered for pensioners, and we hope the partnership will continue to help people in the District of Easington to claim their full entitlement."

Any pensioner who feels they may qualify for attendance allowance can call 0191-586 7601.

* Age Concern needs volunteers to help it carry out its work. Anyone who can help is asked to call 0191-586 7601.