PEOPLE in Bury are missing out on free energy services.

Energywatch, the gas and electricity watchdog, have discovered that many pensioners and people with disabilities throughout greater Manchester are not taking advantage of free services to help with their gas and electricity supply.

And this is because those who are eligible are not on their gas and electricity supplier's priority services register.

This register provides pensioners and those with disabilities as well as the chronically sick with a range of free services.

They include:

An annual gas safety check

Special controls to make gas and electricity appliances easier to use

A quarterly meter reading service

A password scheme to protect householders from bogus callers

A bill nominee scheme if people wish someone else to deal with their bills. Research carried out by energywatch has found that only five per cent of eligible people in Greater Manchester are on their gas and electricity supplier's priority services register and getting the extra help.

Regional director, Mr David Sidebottom explained: "The free services offered by gas and electricity suppliers through their priority services register can make a real difference to pensioners, people with disabilities and the chronically sick.

"Unfortunately, energywatch has discovered that very few people know about the priority services register and, consequently, they don't apply for the extra help they need."

He added: "We want to change this. I urge anyone who thinks they may benefit from the priority services register top contact energywatch.

"We have a free advice booklet for consumers and our trained advisers can explain what is available, who qualifies and how to apply."

Bury people who are eligible for the scheme are asked to ring 0845 9060708 for more details.

Energywatch was set up under the Utilities Act 2000 to represent the interests of all gas and electricity consumers in England, Scotland and Wales.

It has replaced the Gas Consumers Council and Electricity Consumer Committee and is a Government body completely independent of the energy industry and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM).