AGE Concern is repeating an offer to help people beat the cold this winter.

Last year, Age Concern Energy Services guaranteed a minimum cold weather rebate of £10.50 for every customer in Bolton, which equates to being given more than a week's use of a gas fire, free of charge over the winter.

Unlike the Government's cold weather payment, Age Concern's initiative, run in conjunction with Powergen, is open to people of all ages, providing they purchase gas from Age Concern's Energy Services.

John Starr, of Age Concern Energy Services Bolton, said: "Cold weather and increased fuel bills during the winter months are putting a strain on the finances of millions of older people, particularly the hundreds of thousands living in fuel poverty.

"Age Concern Energy Services is trying to alleviate this problem through cold weather payments that allow older people to turn up the heating when they need it the most.

"Insufficient heating can greatly increase an individual's susceptibility to hypothermia and other illnesses so this step is a great way of helping older people keep themselves warm and safe at what can be a difficult time of year."

To find out more about the Age Concern Energy Services package, call free on 0800 404 5010 or visit the local Age Concern at 72/74 Ashburner Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 1TN.