The discount knocks 25% off the bill of people living alone

Six councils - Eden, Allerdale, South Lakeland, Barrow, Carlisle and Copeland - are to use the latest data matching technology to check people live alone.

An amnesty period has been set and anyone incorrectly claiming the discount is being urged to come forward by Saturday.

Anyone caught after the date faces prosecution and a fine of �1,000.

It is estimated that those falsely claiming the 25% discount can save up to �350-a-year if living in a band B to D property.

David Rawsthorn, director of finance at Eden District Council, said: "People who are genuinely claiming this discount have nothing to fear - we want them to continue receiving the discount to which they are entitled.

"However, we take a zero tolerance approach to fraud and we're very pleased that we can carry out this major anti-fraud initiative."

The six councils are being backed by Cumbria County Council.