A CHARITY has started a campaign to help older people stay warm this winter.

Age Concern's annual Winter Warmth Week runs until Friday and as part of the campaign, there will be information points at Age Concern Kirklees's office on Cross Church Street throughout the week.

Older people can drop in to get advice on how to heat their homes without breaking the bank.

The office will be open from 9am to 4pm today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday. Advice was also available today at Meltham Crossroads Centre and at Marsden Information Point.

The trading manager for Age Concern Kirklees, Linda Wilson, said: "It's important that older people use this time before the cold weather sets in to prepare themselves for winter."

As well as getting advice on reducing heating costs, people will be able to get tips on how to protect their homes from winter damage and how to insure their homes and possessions.

Age Concern is offering a special insurance package for people over 50 and also has a special rate energy package for the over 50s in association with Powergen.

The charity is also running two competitions as part of the Winter Warmth Week.

One involves knitting a winter character. The first prizewinner in the national contest will receive an ElectroMotion MicroGlide scooter worth £1,000.

The second competition involves filling in a prize draw form at Winter Warmth Week events.

The winner will receive a five-day Shearings holiday for two from the summer 2005 brochure and runners-up will receive Winter Home Energy Packs worth £45 from Powergen.

Everyone who enters will receive £15 worth of Shearings vouchers.

For more information about Winter Warmth Week or Age Concern Kirklees's services, contact 01924 469214. For information on Age Concern's energy services call 0800 015 6785 and for home and contents insurance call 0845 606 5075.