New analysis from Age UK has found that hundreds of over 65s who are living alone in Bury have no central heating.

The charity said that these figures are “of tremendous concern” and have urged the government to prepare for next winter.

Census data from 2021 showed that 11,083 people over the age of 65 lived alone in Bury which makes up 32.3 per cent of the age group.

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Of the elderly people living alone, 238 (2.1 per cent) did not have central heating.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said: “These figures are of tremendous concern, as older people lacking central heating often find it very difficult to stay warm during the winter months with potentially serious consequences for their health and wellbeing.

“Living alone can make this situation worse as it means that one person’s income has to stretch further to cover the fixed costs of heating a home, and it can, in some cases, lead to social isolation, which can have additional negative consequences.”

Across England and Wales, about 3.1m elderly people lived alone when the census took place in March 2021.

Of them, 66,000 (2.1 per cent) had no central heating.

The alarming figures come after an elderly lady died in Bury due to worry about not being able to afford her heating bill.

Barbara Bolton, 87, felt like she did not feel like she needed to put the heating on and she did what she thought was best for her, an inquest heard.

She died in January this year after being found unresponsive at her home in December.

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Age UK said anyone who is struggling, or their concerned families and friends, can contact its free Age UK advice line on 0800 169 65 65 which is open every day from 8am until 7pm.

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