THE most vulnerable people in the region are to get a financial boost to help them cope with cold weather.

Cold weather payments of £8.50 a week are to be made automatically to many pensioners and benefit claimants.

The payments, which are made when the temperature drops below a set level, are in addition to the one-off £200 winter fuel payments made each year to the over 60s.

The cold weather payments are made when an average temperature of 0C or below is recorded or forecast for a whole week.

These temperatures were recorded in areas around the North-East between December 20 and December 26, meaning payments will be made.

The eligible areas include parts of Consett, Weardale, Teesdale, Wensleydale and parts of Northumberland.

Those who qualify live in areas with the postcode DH8, DL8 and 11 to 13, NE19, 44, 47 and 48.

Those on minimum income guarantee, income support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance in these areas can claim the money if they have a child under five, are over 60, or have a partner over 60 who gets a pensioner premium or has a family member on disability benefit.

The money should be used to pay for extra heating during the cold spell.

Those entitled will automatically receive the extra money and do not need to apply for the funds.

For more information, call freephone (0800) 0857000.