Nearly 8,000 people over the age of 80 are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments in Oldham due to planned government cuts, the Oldham Liberal Democrats have said.

Based on figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the Oldham Lib Dems' leader, Cllr Howard Sykes MBE, says pensioners in the borough are facing a choice between "heating and eating" this winter.

It comes after figures also released by DWP showed that 36,431 pensioners in Oldham received help to heat their homes last winter, up from 35,984 the year before.

Cllr Sykes is calling on the government to reverse its decision so as not to leave around 7,800 pensioners affected.

READ MORE: Saddleworth dog spa launching with fur-friendly treatments

He said: “Thousands of pensioners across Oldham are really worried about how they will make it through winter.  Many are looking at a choice between heating and eating.  This is all over a cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance that wasn’t in the Labour Party manifesto.”

“It’s not too late for this new government to change course, reverse this cut and protect vulnerable pensioners this winter.

“These numbers are frightening.  Lots of people who receive these payments really rely on them.  They might not be getting pension credit or any other form of support.  This will push lots of pensioners into poverty this winter.”

Age UK has said 2.5m pensioners across the UK will be "in serious trouble" if the allowance cuts go ahead and have launched a petition to save the winter fuel payment, which currently has more than 500,000 signatures.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

Following Labour’s election win, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel payment, which had previously been universal, will only be available to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits this year due to financial woes.

A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to supporting pensioners – with over 12 million set to see their state pension rise by £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

"Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.

"Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills."

Oldham Labour were approached for comment.