Heating homes can be a struggle for the elderly

Until now only those with no central heating could apply to the programme.

However, an extra �3m a year has been earmarked to enable those with partial or ineffective heating systems to take advantage of the offer.

Deputy Communities Minister Mary Mulligan urged families, neighbours and friends of elderly people to encourage them to apply to the scheme.

Since the government's free central heating programme began three years ago, 37,000 systems have been installed.

Ms Mulligan unveiled a �57m funding package on Monday.

She insisted it was money well spent and stressed that pensioners should not be living in cold, damp, homes.

Anyone over 65 with no central heating can have it installed free of charge under the scheme - whether they are living in a council house, a private house or a property belonging to a housing association.

Premature death

Those who already have some form of central heating are not eligible, but an exception is now being offered for those over 80.

Earlier this year, a study found poverty was the main cause of premature death among the elderly in Scotland.

The joint report by a charity and university found the number of elderly mortalities over winter was directly linked to a region's deprivation.

The Energy Action Scotland and University of Strathclyde study concluded that warm homes save lives.