Hundreds of vulnerable people are dying needlessly in cold and poorly insulated homes in Kent, it's been revealed.

New government statistics have revealed there were 630 "excess" winter deaths in the county during 2013/14, which can mostly be put down to the cold.

What's worse, provisional figures for 2014/15 reveal a sharp rise in preventable deaths in the south east so far - at 6,600. That suggests the figure for Kent will be considerably higher this year.

Worst hit are those elderly or vulnerable people living in rural parts of the county, because homes are typically older and with poorer insulation.

The shocking figures also highlight that 41,000 of the deaths in England and Wales last winter were people aged 65 or over - the highest level for 15 years.

Graham Gibbens, Kent County Council's cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: "We appreciate that most people will be able to look after themselves but some members of the community need help.

"Please be a good neighbour and rally round, take time to care for yourself, your family and others" - Graham Gibbens, KCC

"Basic advice can help everyone prepare, such as being ready to stay indoors during cold or severe weather, making sure there is enough food and medicine at home and ordering repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.

"Having a family member, friend or neighbour who can help out can be vital in cold weather – helping with anything from putting the bin out to collecting a prescription or doing some grocery shopping.

"Please be a good neighbour and rally round, take time to care for yourself, your family and others."

Simple tips such as making regular hot drinks and wearing several thin layers of clothes rather than one thick one can help to keep your body warm.

Andrew Scott-Clark, KCC's director of public health, added: "Exposure to the cold increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks - even a short time in the cold, outdoors or indoors, can have a lasting effect.

"People should wrap up warm to protect themselves and help those who may have difficulty following the basic advice."

In response to the figures, OFTEC, the trade body for oil heating, has teamed up with Age UK to help ensure households in Kent are better prepared for the cold weather this winter.

KCC has issued the following advice:

• Regular hot meals and drinks can help keep your body warm
• Keep your home heated – set the heating to the right temperature (18-21C)
• If trying to save fuel, it is advisable to heat the living room during the day, the bathroom when needed and the bedroom just before going to bed.
• Get the flu vaccine to protect yourself and others. This is free for anyone over 65, pregnant women, those with long term conditions, and children aged two to four. Details are available at GP surgeries or pharmacies and the vaccine is free for some people
• Order repeat prescriptions in good time to make sure you have enough supply of any medicines you use
• Have your heating and cooking appliances checked regularly and make sure the chimney has been swept recently

OFTEC has also put together a free Keeping Warm This winter guide online here, with tips including:

• Adjusting the timers on your thermostat as the weather changes
• Bleeding your radiators to ensure the heating system is running efficiently

And, with the weather expected to be particularly cold this winter, OFTEC is urging households to ensure they have their boiler serviced by a registered technician to avoid any breakdowns.

Malcolm Farrow, of OFTEC, said: "Christmas is a very busy, and expensive, time of year and many households risk their health by turning down their heating to save money.

"Last year’s excess winter death figures were not helped by an ineffective flu vaccine, which shows there is still much more that needs to be done to keep vulnerable people warm and well this winter. To help, we have produced a free advice booklet with Age UK."

For more information and to download the free booklet, visit www.oilsave.org.uk.