Some pensioners do not have enough money for heating says the charity

The charity said it was a "national scandal" and is campaigning for a rise in the basic state pension.

The charity blames the deaths on expensive heating costs, poor standards of housing and low incomes.

The Department of Work and Pensions says the winter fuel allowance is to help pensioners with heating costs.

Age Concern Cymru said in the last five years more than 8,000 people over 65 in Wales have died as a result of the winter months - giving Wales one of the highest rates of winter deaths in Europe.

It said the warning from the Met Office of a harsh winter this year could mean even more deaths.

It is a national scandal that so many older people over 65 are put at risk every winter Rob Taylor, Age Concern Cymru

The cost of heating, the poor standard of Welsh housing and low incomes leave older people in Wales vulnerable to the cold weather, according to the charity.

The charity said the deaths, caused by "cold-related illness," could be avoided and is calling on the government to increase the basic state pension to at least �109 a week so all older people have enough money to heat their homes.

Rob Taylor, Director of Age Concern Cymru, said: "It is a national scandal that so many older people over 65 are put at risk every winter.

"In the UK, almost 2.4m older people live in homes that are cold enough to cause illness and this is just unacceptable.

"More needs to be done for older people during the winter months so that they can heat their homes adequately without worrying about the cost."

However, both the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Welsh Assembly Government said there are measures in place to help pensioners through the winter.

'Alleviate stress'

A spokesman for the DWP said: "There are no plans to increase the state pension at the moment."

But he said there �200 winter fuel allowance to all households with pensioners over 60 and the extra �100 payment for the over-80s were to "alleviate the stress of pensioners in the winter months".

A spokesperson for the assembly government said it runs the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme offering practical help and benefits to improve living conditions and cut fuel costs.

Some parts of the country also operate the Warm Wales programme which aims to tackle fuel poverty with energy efficiency measures like loft and cavity wall insulation and offer benefits advice to householders.