EVERYBODY in government is going on about swine flu. As we know, thousands of people die in the winter months as it is.

However, I fear it will not be swine flu that will kill large numbers of elderly people, but the high cost of fuel bills.

Even though the winter allowance is a great help, the elderly seem to have a built-in fear of putting on the gas or electricity which contributes to a high number of them dying in the bitter cold nights.

More free help should be given in the way of insulation and a general reduction in the cost per unit charged to them over the winter months.

JM Gowland, Heighington, near Darlington