UP to 100 pensioners have already benefited from the council's drive to get more people to claim the benefits they are entitled to.

The Quids In Campaign aims to put an extra £1-million into people's pockets in the form of unclaimed housing and council tax benefit.

Already, almost £100,000 has been committed to local pensioners over the next year in a pilot scheme which saw staff visiting libraries and customer information points.

Ms Laherty said: "Earlier on in the year we did a data matching exercise with the Pensions Service and what that told us was that there were many residents claiming pension credit benefit but were not in receipt of any housing or council tax benefit.

"As a result we worked pro-actively with those people to say: You are entitled to these benefits, why don't you put in a claim?"

Mr S, of Grimsby, who claims £62.12 per week, said: "We were very pleased to have the council's help to get support with our rent and council tax. Without it we would find it very difficult to pay our way."

Mrs M, of Cleethorpes, who claims £18.42 per week, said: "The extra benefit has enabled me to put the central heating on when I feel cold, and also buy a treat in my food shopping."

Mrs B, of Grimsby, who claims £18.41 per week, said: "It will make such a difference to our living standards. I would advise any elderly person to get in touch with the council office and ask for help. They will even fill in the forms for you, and do not ask any embarrassing questions."