HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn urged pensioners to take action to prevent winter misery at the launch of a campaign yesterday.

The Darlington MP was in his constituency to sign up to the NEA charity and British Gas Warm Homes Week initiative.

He visited the home of pensioner Arthur Gamble to promote better domestic efficiency as the long-term solution to fuel poverty.

Mr Milburn learned how energy efficiency measures can help to tackle the problem of cold, damp homes, which in turn would lead to fewer cold-related illnesses and winter deaths.

Mr Gamble's home was fitted with gas central heating and draughtproofed earlier this year under the Government-backed Warm Front grant scheme.

Mr Milburn said: "Many Darlington residents find themselves, through no fault of their own, struggling with high fuel bills and indoor temperatures too low to be healthy or comfortable.

"I urge them to heed the Warm Homes Week message and seek out the energy-saving assistance that will help them to enjoy a warmer winter."

In Darlington, 45 more deaths occurred in the winter of 2000-2001 than in the warmer months.

NEA, a national energy charity, can be contacted on 0800 952 0600.