A BLACKPOOL pensioner will not pay his full water bill in protest at a massive price increase.

Derek Bunting, 67, of Birkdale Avenue, Bispham, is already risking prison by refusing to pay increases in his council tax bill above 2.5per cent.

"It's scandalous," said Mr Bunting this week: "The council tax increase and water bill increase has wiped out the small rise most pensioners have had.

"My bill has gone up by 13.5 per cent -- that's four per cent more than the council tax bill I was already protesting about!

"It's always pensioners and people on fixed incomes who suffer the most. I could pay the bill, but I'm protesting on principle."

Mr Bunting has already distributed 3,500 leaflet about the council tax increase and hopes his latest protest will have the same impact.

"I started this on behalf of the pensioners, but when I was handing out my leaflets around town I had interest from all sorts of people, the young, the old, a good cross section. There is a lot of anger around."

He has also had a letter of support from Devon council tax protester, Elizabeth Winkfield, and is hoping to speak at next month's national Pensioner's Parliament at the Winter Gardens.

The North West's water firm, United Utilities, was given permission to raise its bills by more than the rate of inflation last year.

Chief executive, John Roberts, said: "We recognise that our customers don't like to see their bills going up.

"However, at a total cost of about 70p per day for the average family, we think our prices still represent good value for money in terms of water and wastewater services."

Mr Bunting is urging people unhappy about their water bills to send letters of protest to customer watchdog, WaterVoice North West, Suite 902, 9th Floor, Bridgewater House, Whitworth Street, Manchester or call them on 0845 7056316.