PENSIONERS living in a sheltered housing development are facing a sharp increase in their combined rent and service charges of more than 50 per cent.

Some residents of Merlin Court in Oswaldtwistle will have to pay more than £55 a week extra for their flats from next month.

Some are worried they can no longer afford to live in the complex.

They have contacted former Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, recently selected as Labour's candidate for the next General Election, who has promised to take up their case with owner Onward Homes.

The social housing provider blamed rocketing energy costs for the rise in service charges but pledged no resident would be evicted for being genuinely unable to pay the increase.

He said after a visit to the Merlin Drive development: “I feel for these poor pensioners. They are being forced out of their homes or forced into poverty by these rises.

"This is an assault on pensioners incomes and isn’t just Merlin Court. It’s widespread.

"Residents are telling me they can’t afford to pay these charges. They are distraught.

"It’s heartbreaking for pensioners, who are are on small fixed incomes looking at a bleak future.

"Even having to move out and find somewhere else more affordable is heartbreaking.

"I will look at what I can do to help. I will be writing to the government asking for support to housing associations who are passing on these exorbitant costs to pensioners, seeing what else can be done.”

A spokeswoman for Onward Homes said: "Every year we review our rents and service charges. From April, most of our residents, including those at sheltered schemes such as Merlin Court, will see a seven per cent increase in their rent.

"This is at the capped level set by the government and below inflation.

“Most of the increases at Merlin Court relate to charges to cover additional services such as scheme managers and utilities, including gas and electricity. The increase is due to the significant rise in energy costs over the past year. Until now, Onward has subsidised these costs meaning that residents have not had to pay higher energy bills over the winter.

“Unfortunately, we cannot afford to do this indefinitely, so the higher cost of energy will be reflected in service charges from April. We make no profit from increases.

“We understand the increase many customers face is difficult.

"There are lots of ways we can help anyone struggling to pay.

"Our promise remains that no one will lose their home as a result of hardship where they are working with us to make payments.”