DOZENS of people living in Chorley could die from winter colds before the next general election - that is the startling message from campaigners for Friends of the Earth.

Shocking statistics revealed that around 261 people in the town, who suffer from cold-related illnesses, could die before the next election.

Campaigners say the Government's promise to give pensioner's an extra winter fuel payment of £100 does not go far enough to tackle the problem.

They say many adults and children with asthma or other cold-related illnesses such as respiratory disease, heart and cerebro-vascular complaints, have been left 'out in the cold'.

From the findings of the nationwide survey, the pressure group has drawn up a Constituency Death List and pledged to promote key Parliamentary Bills to get the problem turned round.

The list shows that a staggering 17,500 people in the North West could face death before the next election due to a lack of heat in their home.

The pressure group says there are three Parliamentary Bills which would help to put an end to winter deaths caused by fuel poverty.

These include the Warm homes and Energy Conservation Bill, the Health Care and Energy Efficiency Bill and the Fuel Poverty and Energy Conservation Bill.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said: "I fully support the Government's commitment to give pensioners an extra £100 which shows that this is a Government who believe in looking after people who are in need.

"But, the issue we have to address is the problem of homes that are not properly insulated.

"There is nothing worse than people losing heat through their homes in this way and I believe this is a problem we should be tackling and a good way of using valuable resources."

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