HUNDREDS of pensioners could be too frightened to turn up the heat during the big freeze because of spiralling fuel bills.

Advice lines at Age Concern branches throughout East Lancashire have been flooded with calls from anxious elderly people who want to know what extra financial help might be on offer.

But today Age Concern Blackburn's advice and information manager Kevin Durkin said help was on hand for only the hardest hit people.

He said: "Sadly, only people who are on income support can qualify for the cold weather payments."

Mr Durkin said the Blackburn branch alone had received scores of calls from people who were feeling the pinch but knew the need for extra heating in the cold spell. And he urged pensioners to turn up the heating now and worry about the bills when they arrived.

He added: "It is very important that people keep warm at all times.

"Elderly people should take extra precautions to ensure they do not find themselves in difficulty.

"They should ensure that one room is kept warm enough, wear extra clothing and consume plenty of hot food and drink. The time to seek help is when the bills arrive."

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