Pimlico pensioners say they will be plunged into poverty as their heating bills soar by up to 45 per cent.

More than 3,000 Pimlico residents - including those living on the Churchill Gardens Estate, in Lupus Street; Abbots Manor Estate, in Warwick Way; Lillington and Longmoore Gardens Estate, in Charlwood Street - saw their energy charges rise sharply in bills received yesterday.

Westminster Council's housing arm CityWest Homes has increased gas and electricity costs to homes supplied by its Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) energy system.

Bills will rise up to 45 per cent for leaseholders and up to 33 per cent for tenants.

Retired Pat Brett, 67, who has lived in Chippendale House on the Churchill Gardens Estate for 30 years, is just one person who will feel the effects.

She said: "There are a lot of elderly people and young mums, with two or three young children to look after, living on the estate. They will find it very hard to keep up with the payments. I know prices are going up across the country but 45 per cent is far too much, and we're all going to struggle."

A CityWest Homes spokesman said the rise was due to a deal that had kept prices fixed for two years ending and added that charges still compare favourably to the national average for heating and hot water.