Cold weather payments are to be made to the needy because of the freezing conditions — but only to eligible people in the west of the province, it has been announced.

The Department for Social Development said the payments had been triggered by sub-zero temperatures recorded over a seven day period from December 29 to January 4 by the Met Office.

Officially the only postcode areas affected by the cold spell were BT45-48, BT70 and BT78-82.

That means the £25 payment will go to people living in the Londonderry, Strabane, Castlederg, Omagh, Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt and Maghera areas.

The money will be paid by January 12 to people receiving pension credit, income support, jobseekers’ allowance or employment and support allowance.

Welcoming the additional help, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said the money would be paid automatically.