HOW can pensioners afford to pay increases of nearly 10 per cent on their Council Tax when they themselves receive just over two per cent on their pensions? It is unjust and unreasonable.

The pension rise of 75p will never be forgotten by all pensioners. This year's rise is not much better.

However, when he retired, Tony Blair will receive two pensions, one as MP worth £40,000 and one as PM worth £56,000. Not bad, is it?

Pensions-wise we are the laughing stock of Europe, our pensions being the lowest. Belgium's pensioners receive 60 per cent of their average earnings; in Spain they receive 90 per cent of their last eight years' earnings.

Whilst I applaud the actions of the Devon Pensioners Action Forum who say they will go to jail rather than pay the massive council tax rises I can only see the outcome ending in tears when they are made an example of by the powers that be.

The only way for the Grey Brigade to have their say is with the pen on the ballot paper; if not this year, then the next.

There are more than 10 million pensioners in this country, most of whom, like me, worked hard through their working lives. For what? A miserly pittance.

J ALLAN (Mr), Rothesay Road, Blackburn.