The cost of receiving care at home for the elderly is rising, with care home costs rising by a third in five years.

Help the Aged says that the hike in costs has come at a time when the average retirement income has increased far more slowly.

As such the charity is concerned at the level of support being given to the elderly and says that further contributions might ultimately be necessary.

Help the Aged's Philip Spiers explained to the BBC: "Our calculations reveal the true extent of the care fees affordability gap - a gap which self-funders are finding ever more difficult to plug.

"The task of raising the money to meet the expense of care is becoming increasingly complicated," he added.