HUNDREDS of Worcester's pensioners live on low incomes because they fail to claim benefits or they pay too much tax, according to a county charity.

In a bid to stop older people in the city receiving a raw deal, the Worcester branch of Age Concern, is providing free booklet information on how pensioners can make the most of their money.

The booklets are part of Age Concern Week, which ran from Saturday, September 27, until Saturday, October 4.

"Millions of pensioners could boost their incomes by claiming benefits or by paying less tax," Liz Hunt, spokeswoman for Age Concern, said.

"But the system is complicated for pensions experts, never mind older people without specialist knowledge, so it's hardly surprising that people are losing out.

"This week we hope to give people useful information to help them navigate the personal finance maze and find out about the benefits for pensioners."

The news comes as the Government is set to launch its Pension Credit Scheme on Monday, which will see two million more pensioners being entitled to benefits.

The leaflets, entitled Money Made Easy was written by Radio 4's Money Box presenter Paul Lewis, and will be available from the Age Concern office in Sansome Street, in Worcester city centre.

For more information or to book an appointment for the surgery, call the office on 01905 726652.