TENS of thousands of pensioners across the county should have their winter fuel allowance restored, Somerset Council has said.

The authority is writing to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for Labour’s withdrawal of the payment to be reversed.

It wants any cuts to be postponed until a full impact assessment has been carried out.

The Liberal Democrat-run council passed a motion brought by opposition Conservative group leader Cllr David Fothergill and supported by Independent group leader Cllr John Hunt.

Cllr Fothergill estimated about 110,000 older residents in Somerset could struggle to afford heating during the colder months and face a 'heat or eat' dilemma.

He said: “You cannot fill a black hole by throwing vulnerable pensioners into it.

“The withdrawal of winter fuel payments without a full risk assessment has sparked universal condemnation, and Somerset Council is standing firmly against this injustice.

“I never thought I would see myself on the same side of an argument as Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, or most large unions, but it is good to see people uniting over this issue.

"It has been reassuring to see the coming together of so many to condemn the withdrawal of the winter fuel payments.”

The motion passed with only three councillors abstaining.

Councillors also pledged to raise awareness of Pension Credit uptake to ensure all eligible pensioners in Somerset received the support to which they were entitled.

They also resolved to work with voluntary groups to ensure the Government-funded Household Support Fund was used to help Somerset pensioners.