Nearly 100,000 pensioners in Shropshire and Telford are at risk of having their £300 winter fuel payment cut this year.

The government plans have been hit with a counter-movement to protect the vulnerable elderly population.

North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan, is backing a motion in Parliament to block the suggested cuts.

The proposed cuts affect pensioners who do not receive pension credit.

They stand to lose the winter fuel allowance unless receiving other benefits.

Of those affected, an estimated 21,803 are located in North Shropshire alone, with a total of 98,121 across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin who are at risk.

The figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library using data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

The Liberal Democrat motion aims to prevent the government's planned cuts and restore winter fuel payments for the at-risk pensioner population.

It's set to be tabled soon, with expected backing from all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs.

The national impact of this is huge, with 11 million pensioners set to lose their winter fuel payment under the proposed cuts.

Age UK, warns that two million of the affected group may struggle to afford their energy bills which are set to increase by an average of £149 a year from October.

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to reconsider their plan, highlighting the hardship and pressure it could place on poorer and more vulnerable pensioners.

They are concerned about the bleak choice many may be forced to make between eating and heating.

Ms Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, has voiced strong objections against the planned cuts.

She said: "Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong.

"It could force vulnerable elderly people to choose between eating and heating when temperatures drop.

"Many pensioners in North Shropshire are already struggling with bills and they are now racked with worry about how they are going to cope this winter."

Ms Morgan continued: "The Labour Party has got this wrong and Liberal Democrats will do everything possible to stand up for pensioners and block these plans.

"I appreciate that the new government faces difficult choices due to the mess left by the Conservatives but this is not the answer.

“Our pensioners both need and deserve better."