Around 6,000 of the region’s pensioners and vulnerable residents are receiving Cold Weather Payments during the longest cold snap for years.

The Cold Weather Payment, which was trebled by the UK Labour Government, last year from £8.50 to £25 a week, is paid out to eligible residents every time the average temperature at a weather station falls, or is forecast to fall, to 0C or below for seven consecutive days.

Since the cold snap hit Dumfries and Galloway an estimated 6,000 pensioners and vulnerable residents are receiving Cold Weather Payments for either two or three weeks of freezing weather so far.

Local MP Russell Brown says this extra cash will help some of the region's most vulnerable people get through the cold snap.

He said, "Our region has been severely hit by what is the longest cold snap for decades. While braving the conditions on the roads and pavements has become a huge challenge for almost every resident, everybody recognises that this is an extremely difficult time for elderly and disabled people particularly.

"As a result of some of the worst winter weather for years, many vulnerable people have been virtually trapped in their homes for days if not weeks. In these circumstances those people should not be afraid to turn up their thermostat. On top of the Winter Fuel Payment, the Labour Government’s record Cold Weather Payment will make a big difference to thousands of local people concerned about their fuel bills at this time."

Those eligible to receive Cold Weather Payments are (a) pensioners, (b) severely disabled people and (c) families with a child under five or a severely disabled child, who receive the following benefits: pension credit, income support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.