MORE than 400 pensioners in a Hampshire town risk missing out on thousands of pounds in compensation, it has been claimed.

Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton wants residents who had pensions with Equitable Life to make sure they get the money promised to them by the government – before it is too late.

The near collapse of the firm in 2000 left hundreds of thousands of policy holders out of pocket.

A payment scheme was set up in 2011 to pay up to £1.5billion to victims and £600 million has already been paid out.

But many people have moved without giving their new address and an alarming number seem to be unaware that they are entitled to a payment.

The Treasury is planning to shut down the scheme in 2015, with many pensioners at risk of remaining unpaid.

Mike Thornton MP, pictured below, said more than 400 of his constituents could be in line for payments.

“Although 450,000 people have now received a compensation cheque, about 20 per cent remain untraced. Unfortunately, if people don’t get their claim in quickly they will miss out.

“It would be such a shame if having worked all their lives, these pensioners miss out on this tax free compensation.”

If you think you have an eligible policy but have not yet heard from the Scheme, you can first confirm that your policy is eligible for the Scheme by telephoning the Scheme’s “Policychecker” service on 0300 0200150. Or write to Equitable Life Payment Scheme, PO Box 4110, Glasgow G58 1EL quoting your full name, address and your Equitable Life policy number in all correspondence.