PENSIONERS pressing for a fairer council tax deal say they will use a 58 per cent rise in district councillors' allowances as fuel for their campaign.

Last week members of West Wiltshire District Council voted for their basic allowances to rise from £1,750 to £3,000 despite opposition from many councillors. This rise, which comes into effect by April, will mean a knock on increase in council tax for west Wiltshire residents.

Pensioners, led by two Warminster residents, have drawn up a petition calling on MP Andrew Murrison to back their demands for a reduced council tax burden. The petition, which has received hundreds of signatures, will be presented to Dr Murrison at 5pm today at Warminster Conservative Club.

The pensioners also plan to hold a public meeting later this month and are determined to highlight their concerns that increased council tax bills are dragging OAPs into greater poverty.

Campaigner Ron Young, of Tennyson Close, Warminster, said: "We are going to bring these increased allowances into our campaign. This is going to mean another 1.25 per cent on council tax.

"I think it's terrible, it's an absolutely disgusting thing to do. I don't know how they can do this."