The UK has the worst record for pensioner deaths from under-heated homes in Europe, ministers have been warned.

Campaign group Help the Aged are calling on ministers to do more to stop older people suffering from seasonal cold weather this winter.

Last winter 21,800 people over 60 died as a direct result of the cold, taking the total to more than 330,000 in the last 10 years.

Despite increased winter fuel payments from the Department for Work and Pensions this year, the charity said more money will be required to prevent pensioners from having to "choose between eating and heating".

Launching its Winter Deaths Campaign it called on the government to take immediate action "to stem this disgraceful and unnecessary loss of our older population".

It also released a survey showing that two thirds of MPs agreed that Labour's strategy on the subject was failing.

Help the Aged head of public affairs Mervyn Kohler said the government's policy was impinging on civil liberties.

"It is time this country was named and shamed into doing something about this national scandal," he said.

"Older people must have access to affordable heating.

"By failing to properly address fuel poverty and by failing to co-ordinate help across departments, the government is letting people die of cold.

"It is an affront to human rights and should be tolerated no longer."