Elderly people in Bristol are getting a share of more than £25,000 to help cover the cost of winter fuel bills.

Age Concern Energy Services gas customers, aged 60 or over, are set to benefit from an additional cold weather payment of on average £22.88 each.

Customers are set to receive the payout before July this year, the total sum of which will exceed £26,239.76. This figure, paid for by E.ON, will be welcomed by many older people in Bristol.

Michele Cockain, from Age Concern Bristol, said: "Customers on the Age Concern Energy Services tariff in Bristol are guaranteed a Cold Weather Payment of £10 for all gas customers which rises to £20 for customers aged 80 or above. It is paid out over and above the Government's Winter Fuel Payment.

"Our additional Cold Weather Payment is equivalent to an extra three hours use of a gas fire, and is paid to our gas customers aged 60 and over for each day that the temperature drops below freezing between December and the end of February."