TWO Blackburn men have become the first in the United Kingdom to gain widows' benefit payments in landmark cases.

Until now, only women qualified for the money, even if the wife was the main family breadwinner, but the Human Rights Act has outlawed sex discrimination, enabling Blackburn with Darwen Council to help the two men receive the payment.

Initially, both were told they did not qualify for the one-offt payment of £1,000 after losing their wives, but with help from the council's advice centre, they successfully lodged an appeal against the benefits agency.

Councillor Maureen Bateson said: "This benefit was originally given on the assumption years ago that men worked and women brought up their children, but it is a different scenario these days.

"We believe that everyone should be treated equally in these situations and this landmark decision will go a long way towards removing some of the iniquities in the benefits system.

George Campling, director of the council's rights, advice and entitlements department, added: "This was another example of the council acting in its own capacity as community leader in helping two men receive the benefits to which they were entitled."