Hundreds of pensioners were helped to claim more than £4m in unpaid benefits, it was revealed on Tuesday.

About 2500 people were unaware they were entitled to the money, which is just a fraction of the estimated £5.4bn unclaimed by older people in the UK each year.

In one case, a couple secured £34,600 in backdated pension payments.

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil revealed the figures before a visit to advice services run by Link Group in Edinburgh.

The Older Person's Advice Project and Older People's Advice Service offer confidential advice to people with health problems, who are housebound or live in remote areas.

Mr Neil said: "These ground-breaking projects have delivered spectacular results. Many older people do not realise that they are entitled to extra cash. That is why it is imperative we do all we can to put extra money in their pockets."

The Scottish Government invested almost £1m in the two welfare rights projects to achieve the four-fold return.