CITY residents aged 80 or over are being urged to apply for a £100 grant to help pay their winter fuel bill.

The payments are not restricted to one per household and everyone who meets the age requirement will be eligible.

Elderly people living in residential care or hospitals can also apply.

This is the fourth year Glasgow City Council has decided to make cash available to older citizens to ensure they stay warm during the winter.

The grant was introduced in 2011 by council leader Gordon Matheson as part of the city council effort to end fuel poverty. Since then, 44,000 of Glasgow's most vulnerable elderly citizens have taken up the offer.

Mr Matheson dropped in on a group of chums at Donald Dewar Day Care Centre, in Yoker, to remind them not to lose out on the windfall.

He said: "Too many Glaswegians struggle to heat their homes adequately and our elderly citizens are most at risk

"That's why I am delighted the city council can continue to help residents over 80 to keep warm without worrying about how they can afford their heating bills."

People who have not received the payment before and will be 80 or over by March 31 can get an application form from the council website www.glasgow.gov.uk/affordablewarmth or by phoning 0141 287 7961.

Those who received the money last year will be sent a letter telling them it is available again, which they must sign and return.

Anyone the council identifies as eligible from housing benefit records will also get a letter urging them to apply. This year an estimated 1500 people qualify for the first time.

Elderly residents can also receive energy tips from Glasgow Home Energy advice team on 0800 092 9002.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk