EASINGTON'S MP John Cummings has launched a campaign to help secure council tax benefit for more residents in his constituency.

According to recent Government figures, one in four home owner-occupiers in the UK qualifies for the benefit.

But in the Easington district, only one in ten people are claiming the tax allowance.

The County Durham Partnership Against Poverty (CDPAP), which includes representatives from Easington District Council, Durham County Council Welfare Rights, the Department for Work and Pensions and Age Concern, is hoping to boost the number of people receiving the benefit.

A campaign to encourage the take-up of the allowance was launched yesterday at Seaton Holme Discovery Centre, in Easington Village, by Mr Cummings.

Charlie Thompson, benefits manager at the district council, said: "The shortfall in people claiming council tax benefit makes increasing take-up a priority for us.

"Our work to increase the number of people claiming the benefit is already under way, with the council now disregarding income from War Pensions when calculating income for council tax and housing benefit."

The campaign will also see benefits staff visiting community groups to help spread the word about claiming the allowance.