PENSIONERS are being urged by Leigh MP Andy Burnham to claim their winter fuel payments before the March 31 deadline.

Last year, 50,000 households in Leigh benefited from the £200 grant to help pay winter heating bills.

Mr Burnham said: "The payment was introduced to ensure pensioners need not worry about extra costs over the winter.

"Many constituents have said what a difference it has made to their quality of life, yet not everyone entitled will have claimed."

The grant is available to anyone over 60 who was a British resident during the week September 16-22 last year. But those receiving a state pension or any other social security benefit, or those who have received a previous payment, will get the grant automatically.