PENSIONERS in Teesdale are being urged to contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau to make sure they are claiming ther full benefits entitlement.

The call follows a survey by the National Audit Office which found that about a third of people eligible for council tax benefit were failing to claim it.

The survey revealed that pensioners, and in particular people aged over 75, were far less likely to claim for their benefits, with ten per cent failing to claim their housing benefit and half not claiming their attendance allowance.

Staff at Teesdale Citizens Advice Bureau are encouraging people in the dale to contact them to discuss what benefits they are entitled to claim.

Manager Phil Hughes said: "Now we are approaching the new financial year and the council tax has been settled for the coming year, many people, particularly those on state retirement benefits, may not know about everything that they are entitled to claim to help pay their rent and council tax."

For more information, visit the office in Woodleigh, Flatts Road, Barnard Castle, between 10am and 4pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, or telephone (01833) 631486.