MAYOR Ken Livingstone is backing a new campaign which aims to protect pensioners from the cold by sending them thermometers.
Help the Aged is sending more than 500,000 thermometers to people across London so they can check room temperatures in their homes.
There is also a British Gas-run helpline as part of the Winter Warmth campaign which offers advice about grants available to install central heating and insulation to make houses warmer.
Mr Livingstone said: "In a society as well-resourced as ours it is wholly unacceptable that any pensioners in the capital die needlessly from cold-related illnesses.
"I urge London's older people to use the thermometers to check their homes are warm enough."
The ideal room temperature is 21 C / 70F.
Thermometers were sent out with a letter from the Mayor last week.
Call the Winter Warmth helpline on 0845 605 2535.
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