According to a leading cancer charity, patients suffering from terminal cancer, and on the verge of death, are missing out on benefit payments worth millions of pounds.

Macmillan Cancer Support said that every year in Scotland, almost £8m benefits went unclaimed by people who are detected with terminal cancer.

However, since 2004, the situation has improved a little when £15m went unclaimed.

Macmillan said 32% of people dying from cancer did not claim Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.

It further said that terminally sick cancer patients were automatically entitled to these benefits.

The reason for low-take up of claim of benefits being that the patients are unaware of their eligibility and the disgrace of claiming state benefits.

The charity added that access to financial information should be given to patients from time to time.

Allan Cowie, Macmillan's General Manager for Scotland, said, "The benefits system is confusing and complex and, for someone who is unwell, it can seem impossible to navigate”.

"This is because money worries are a huge source of stress to people, impacting on the quality of their lives and on their health. The last thing people should be worrying about towards the end of their lives is money".

Macmillan estimated the £8m number by working out the difference between the number of deaths and the number of cancer-related benefits claims.