More than 40% of pensioners in the north east are at risk by not getting old gas appliances serviced, according to Gas Safe Register.

Almost one in 10 of those aged over 65, when questioned, also said they would try to fix their gas boilers, cookers or fires themselves if they went wrong, or would ask a friend to help out.

Gas Safe Register is holding a series of local events across the north east to raise awareness of the dangers of unsafe gas work among the over 65's, the group it said is among the most vulnerable to gas dangers in Britain.

Many of those questions said their gas cookers, fires and boilers have not been serviced for almost a decade, and this figure rose to almost 11 years in the over 75's.

Brought up in the world of post-war austerity, older people say they keep their gas appliances going until they stop working, rather than having them serviced every year, as is recommended for safety.

"Our research shows that the majority of elderly people in the North East are savvy spenders," said Paul Johnston of Gas Safe Register. "Few say they spend beyond their means and many say they would rather put on an extra layer than turn up the heating unnecessarily, for example. We want to make sure everyone knows that they can also save money - and their lives - by getting their gas appliances serviced regularly by a registered engineer."

Failing to get gas appliances serviced regularly or attempting DIY fixes can lead to potentially fatal carbon monoxide (CO) leaks. Two thirds of older people said they might confuse the flu-like symptoms of deadly carbon monoxide symptoms with those of existing illnesses or blame the weather.

Only 6% of over 75-year-olds surveyed in the North East know the symptoms of CO poisoning, which include headaches, nausea and dizziness.