OLDER people fearing rocketing energy bills this winter are turning more and more to a Worcester-based charity for help and advice.

Age Concern, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, has seen a 13 per cent increase in demand for information about how to keep warm and well while keeping costs down this winter.

Chief executive Philip Talbot said: “We have a higher older population than other places but the serious issue is around those older people on the poverty line.

“They spend more on fuel and energy and food than the average person but they are on a fixed income. Demand for information from us has gone up by 13 per cent and we have seen an increase in demand for advice on bills.”

National figures show that England and Wales have the highest number of excess winter deaths in Europe – an estimated 25,300 in 2007/08 which is a seven per cent increase on the previous winter. Nearly 19,500 of those were among those aged over 75.

Countries such as Finland, Denmark and Austria have more severe winters but fewer excess winter deaths.

“What is sad about it is that we are not dealing with the problem like other countries,” said Mr Talbot. “If we have a hard winter we are not used to it. We have not had a particularly hard winter for a few years.”

According to the National Office of Statistics, respiratory and circulatory diseases are responsible for most of the increase in deaths seen during the winter months. Flu is often a cause of winter mortality as it can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia, especially in the elderly.

Age Concern in Herefordshire and Worcestershire has a number of direct services it offers to help older people stay warm and well during the winter including its Well Check Programme, its Energy Right Programme, Active Ageing Clubs and helping to process benefit claims.

“We have a very direct response to all these things,” Mr Talbot said. “People just have to go along to one of the main Age Concern centres or ring us to get help.”

He said some of the advice could be as simple as telling people to turn their heating down by one degree rather than 10 degrees, which will help cut costs but not make much difference to the temperature, or wearing an extra pair of socks.

The charity’s general tips for older people this winter are make sure they claim their benefits, eat well and keep warm, stay active, get a flu jab from the GP, shop around for the best energy rates – Age Concern can help with this – and increase energy efficiency in the home.

For more information ring Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01905 726652.