Thousands of British pensioners living in sunshine abroad will receive winter fuel payments... costing taxpayers up to £15m

Charities and OAP groups will next week protest that more than £10million a year is being paid to those who have escaped the chilly UK and retired to the sun.

Some 50,000 elderly Britons who have moved permanently abroad are claiming the yearly allowance, worth between £200 and £300, which is supposed to help with winter heating bills.

Campaigners have hit out at winter fuel payments made to those living in sunny climates abroad, while elderly UK residents struggle with rising energy bills

Even those living on Spain's Costas and in Portugal, Greece and some tropical islands are benefiting from taxpayers' money.

As long as they register for the allowance in Britain, they are entitled to continue claiming if they move to any of 29 European countries or their overseas territories.

Under European law, benefits acquired in one member state must be paid to those who move to another.

Price hikes in the UK mean that pensioners' gas and electricity bills have rocketed in recent months, leaving many elderly people frightened they will not be able to heat their homes this winter.

But in Cyprus, for example, which enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the cost of living is around 25 per cent cheaper than in the UK. Gas and electricity bills average at least £500 less than in the UK.