NEARLY £500,000 in unclaimed benefit has been taken up after a campaign to encourage pensioners to apply for benefits they may be entitled to.

Lancashire County Council said it has secured a total of just over £459,000 in pension credit for 314 claimants.

The welfare rights service also identified other potential benefit claims resulting in an extra £28,500, mainly in new claims for attendance allowance.

District councils used their housing and council tax benefit records to identify customers who may be entitled to Pension Credit and wrote to them advising them to make a claim.

County Councillor Mike Calvert said: “In these difficult times it's particularly important for pensioners and vulnerable people to make sure they are getting everything they are entitled to.

“This latest campaign resulted in an average weekly cash gain of £28, which is a considerable amount by any standards.”