A CANDLELIT vigil is to be held in memory of older people who have died from the winter cold in the North-East.

MPs Julie Elliot and Bridget Philipson will join Age UK campaigners in remembering what they say are the hundreds of Sunderland pensioners who have died from the cold over the last decade.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics say that last winter saw more than 40,000 excess winter deaths among, the vast majority in the 75 and over age group.

The statistics show 78 per cent more people died of respiratory illnesses such as flu and pneumonia last winter compared to the rest of the year.

A candlelit vigil will be held on Friday at the Age UK centre in Sunderland, where, campaigners say, an average of 133 extra people die each winter above what would be expected.

Director Alan Patchett, said: “The dramatic jump in excess winter deaths is a terrible rebuke to anyone who thought it was 'job done' when it comes to keeping older people safe from the cold.

“Indeed, these truly awful statistics represent a significant reverse and they highlight the imperative of us doing much more to tackle the underlying problem: cold, poorly insulated homes”.