COUNCIL bosses say a campaign to encourage elderly people to claim pension Credit has paid off.

Easington District Council said more people in the area were claiming the credit, which replaced the Minimum Income Guarantee in October last year, than in any other area in County Durham.

The council ran a campaign with the Pensions Service aimed at people over 60 who might not be getting all the money they were entitled to.

Up to April this year, an extra £115,000 had been paid to people in Easington who were not aware they qualified for the benefit.

The council hosted advice surgeries throughout the district and has been told by the Pensions Service that the extra take-up is the biggest in the county.

The council also helped Age Concern with a campaign to increase the take-up of attendance allowance, which led to payments of £400,000 last year.

Councillor Joan Freak said: "This is very good news both for the council and pensioners living in the district.

"However, despite awareness campaigns targeting pensioners, there are still many people over 60 who may not be receiving the full entitlement owed to them under the scheme.

"Having a benefits check to see if you are claiming everything you are entitled to is really easy and could result in a bigger weekly income.''

For a benefit check, call the council on 0191-527 0501.

* Read John Gordon's benefits and pension advice column in The Northern Echo every Saturday.