HUNDREDS of pensioners in County Durham are missing out on thousands of pounds worth of benefits, it has been revealed.

A report, written by the National Audit Office, says that the take-up of entitlements among pensioners is lower than among the population as a whole.

From April, charity Help The Aged in County Durham has helped the region's elderly recover about £200,000 in benefits, but says there are still many out there who do not realise what money they are entitled to.

Peta Cockburn, the charity's Dales Location manager for Wear Valley and Teesdale, said: "There are a lot more people out there who we are hoping to help. There is a lot that is not being claimed, because people do not know that they are entitled to benefits.

"Some people are aware that perhaps their income is something like 75 pence below the income guideline and feel it is not worth all the paperwork and bother of claiming that 75p.

"What they don't realise is that claiming it could open the door to other entitlements."

In a bid to help pensioners get money they are entitled to, Help the Aged is holding a benefits session tomorrow at the Four Clocks Centre, Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, from 10am to 3pm.

There will be four helpers on hand to check what benefits people are receiving and advise them what money they could be missing out on.

The checks will be done on a first-come, first-served basis and people are advised to take along a list of what they are claiming, such as their pension.

Mrs Cockburn said: "It costs nothing to come and check, and it may make a big difference to a person's income."