OVER 200 pensioners signed protest letters to be sent to local MPs backing a campaign to axe council tax for the elderly. The move is part of Biggleswade and District Pensioners Association plans to try and reduce poverty and financial hardship among pen

OVER 200 pensioners signed protest letters to be sent to local MPs backing a campaign to axe council tax for the elderly.

The move is part of Biggleswade and District Pensioners' Association plans to try and reduce poverty and financial hardship among pensioners.

Saturday's event in Biggleswade Market Place was a huge success with hundreds of long life light bulbs donated by Mid Beds District Council also being given to pensioners along with literature on how to claim benefits.

"The whole event was very successful and it showed just how much pensioners are unaware of what they can claim and their strong feelings about not wanting to pay council tax," said Ken Lynch, chairman of the association.

"All the forms that were signed will be sent to our local MPs and we want them to respond to all those who have signed them. We must make the Government aware now before winter really arrives, the suffering pensioners face.

"Increased prices for gas and electricity have only been added to rises in council tax which have left a lot of pensioners on the poverty line. What comes first, eating or heating?

"Unless we do something now the suffering will just go on and on. I hope all our local MPs will support our campaign to make the Government listen to our appeal for help."

The association's campaign moves to Sandy this Saturday when a stall will be set up outside Budgens. It will then move to Potton in two weeks time.

"We want to make sure all the pensioners in the area have a single voice," added Mr Lynch. "We will be going to Sandy and Potton and we haven't forgotten about the villages. We will be going to as many villages as possible during the next month and once we know the dates we will put them in The Comet.