PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has welcomed moves to ensure pensioners cash in on possible refunds to council tax bills.

Government figures show less than half of home-owning pensioners claim the benefits they are entitled to, with four out of 10 missing out of threequarters of a billion pounds in council tax benefit.

New rules have been introduced to enable more pensioners to claim the benefit and anyone who thinks they could be eligible is encouraged to apply.

The Labour backbencher said: "The Government is keen to see that all pensioners who might be entitled to the benefit do claim it. They have worked hard all their lives and contributed to the prosperity of the country."