SENIOR citizens from across the country made the journey to Blackpool this week to debate the first ever pensioners' manifesto.

The annual pensioners parliament drew an estimated 2,000 people, and kicked off with the traditional, colourful march down the promenade and through the town.

Demands include a £105 basic state pension for all, a free annual health check and free nursing care, a free nationwide travel scheme and the abolition of the council tax.

National Pensioners Convention president, Rodney Bickerstaffe, said: "Pensioners are fed up with being ignored by politicians and having their own manifesto will mean that they can force the political parties to take them seriously."

The Citizen spoke to some of the pensioners who have travelled from all parts of the country to be part of the pensioner's parliament.

Barbara Faulks is a members of a pensioners' group in Hinckley, Leicesteshire. She said: "I'm concerned about things like pensions, but also day-to-day issue such as concessionary transport passes."

She also called for Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to resign because of his backing for the Iraq war.

Essex-based Terry Hutt, known as the umbrella man, is one of the parliament's most colourful characters, wearing his union jack teeshirt and shorts.

"I've been involved in working with disabled and elderly people for 20 years," he said as he entered the Winter Gardens for the first day of the parliament: "I'm doing it for the next generation as well as myself."

Irene Fylmer and Joan Bown had travelled from Atherstone, Warwickshire and have been attending the parliament for for 'nine or ten' years to try and get their views across. They were calling for 'fair deals for pensioners' and 'better transport and care.'

Delegates heard from members of all major political parties before starting to debate manifesto issues. The parliament closes today (Thursday).