PENSIONERS in Hartlepool are finally receiving benefit entitlements after special surgeries were set up in the town earlier this year.

Hartlepool Borough Council has teamed up with the Government's Pensions Service to hold regular surgeries in the Headland and Owton Manor, as well as the Civic Centre.

Figures released from April to September this year show-ed that 220 pensioners in Hartlepool received additional Social Security benefits totalling nearly £70,000.

Christopher Akers, benefits manager at the council, said: "It is important residents get the right benefit entitlement and lots of people who have attended these surgeries have been awarded additional benefits such as income support and disability allowance.

"In some cases, this has had a knock-on effect which has resulted in people being entitled to additional council tax or housing benefit."

The venues and times of surgeries are: Civic Centre, on Tuesdays, from 9am to noon, and 1pm to 4pm; Headland neighbourhood office, on Fridays, from 9.30am to 11.30am; and Wynyard House, Owton Manor Lane, on Thursdays, from 9.30am to 11.30am.

The Headland and Owton Manor surgeries operate on a drop-in basis, but appointments must be made at the Civic Centre by contacting 0845 6060265.

Due to the success of the scheme, a further surgery will be launched at Seaton Carew library every Monday morning from the beginning of December.