AGE Concern Swindon has welcomed a call by a councillor for senior citizens to claim the new Pension Credit.

The means tested benefit is aimed at helping those over-65s with weekly incomes of less than £139, and couples with £204, but the rules for claiming have been described as complicated by pensioners' rights groups.

Coun Chris Shepherd (LibDem, Freshbrook and Grange Park) said that local and national government should work together with groups such as Age Concern to ensure that as many needy people as possible received the money due to them.

Age Concern Swindon director Jo Osorio said: "We entirely agree with Coun Shepherd. There are complicated rules."

The claim line is on 0800 99 1234 and an Age Concern fact sheet is available at 14 Milton Road, Swindon, or via www.ageconcern.org.uk.