MORE THAN 19,000 pensioners living in Thornbury and Yate could receive an extra £772 per year in a pledge from the Liberal Democrat ahead of the general election.

The manifesto plan to protect the “triple lock” for state pensions could see 19,280 elderly members of the community benefit.

Thornbury and Yate has one of the highest number of people receiving state pensions in the country, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

The triple lock guarantee, which was secured by former Thornbury and Yate MP Sir Steve Webb during his time as pensions minister, has seen the basic state pension rise in each year by whichever is the higher of earnings, prices or a rate of 2.5%.

The pledge could see the state pension, which is currently 122.30, increase to £137.15 a week by 2021.

The party say this would be paid for in part by restricting perks such as the winter fuel allowance so they are no longer paid to the wealthiest pensioners.

Claire Young, the Lib Dem candidate for Thornbury and Yate, said: "Protecting the triple lock will mean an extra £772 a year by 2021 for the 23,060 people receiving the state pension in this constituency.

"The triple lock was introduced by Steve Webb when he was Pensions Minister. It has succeeded in lifting thousands of pensioners out of poverty, but the current government has failed to help those still struggling.

"An important test of a civilised society is the way in which it cares for the elderly. This commitment will ensure older people are able to meet their basic needs and that their living standards will be protected, especially with prices set to rise in the coming years."