HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope believes thousands of local families will benefit from the new children's tax credit.

The new tax break will be worth up to £520 a year from April. Some 7,900 families in Hyndburn alone are set to gain £10 a week from the tax cut, with up to 600,000 families across the North West benefiting.

Mr Pope said: "Millions of application forms have been sent out but ministers tell me some families with a right to the new tax credit have not returned their forms.

"At up to £520 per year, the new tax credit is far more generous than the old married couples' allowance it replaces, which was worth only £197 per year when it was phased out. It will help families when they need it most."

Any working family with a child under 16 which has not applied for the credit yet can call 0845 609 5000.