A Ryedale equality campaigner has called for unclaimed winter fuel payments to be lumped on the end of state-earned pensions.

John Taylor, who is the York and District chairman of action group Parity, said men aged between 60 and 65 not claiming their entitlements should be allowed to claim them when they start receiving their pensions.

Recent figures have revealed that about 750,000 men were not claiming fuel benefits.

Last December, Parity took the Government to the European Court of Justice which ruled it unfair for women to receive the benefit at 60 while men had to wait until they were 65.

"So much has gone unclaimed because most people still don't know they are entitled to it," said Mr Taylor.

"The Government obviously needs to better publicise the fact that people are entitled to this extra money."

The latest figures show that about 1.7 million men aged 60 to 64 are eligible for payments of up to £140 each covering 1997 to 2000 - but more than £100 million has been left unclaimed.

"The Government should set this money aside and anyone who has not claimed it should be told they are entitled to claim it back-dated when they collect their normal state pension," added Mr Taylor.

But David Yarwood, Parity's national chairman, said the number of unclaimed benefits was "very disappointing".

"We fought hard for this entitlement and yet such a small number are claiming it. Perhaps with a bit more publicity, hopefully the figures will be better next year."