EXTRA funding has been granted to help keep older people in York warm over winter.

City of York Council, with Age UK York and Yorkshire Energy Partnership, has secured £17,977 to offer assistance and advice to older people.

Support will target vulnerable, older people from the authority’s Warmer Winter scheme which starts on December 1.

The support includes copies of a winter guide including an easy-to-read thermometer and more than 80 free Home Energy Audits for those in extra care schemes who are particularly at risk.

The scheme will help identify funding opportunities to help make improvements to insulation or heating in homes and to provide support and advice.

During extreme weather, the funding will pay for a service offering shopping for essentials and prescription collection, and general monitoring and support to find essential tradespeople.

It will include 100 emergency packs with vacuum flasks, torches, fleece blankets, hats and gloves and shoe grippers; 20 emergency heaters should boilers break down; an emergency fund to provide small loans to enable boilers to be quickly repaired.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, said: “This programme also complements a series of drop-in sessions on housing options for older people that we’re running this winter too.”