People who became disabled while serving in the armed forces and the widows of those who died are given a war pension by the government to recognise the sacrifice they made.

Each year nearly 300,000 men and women receive a total of �1.2bn in war disablement pensions and widows' pensions.

Most local authorities do not count this money as income when they calculate concessions on rent and council tax, meaning many receive full rebates.

But councillors in Harrow, north London, have decided to end this concession to save nearly �90,000 a year.

Big income cuts

More than 50 people - most aged over 75 - will be affected in the borough, losing an average of �32 a week each.

The Royal British Legion has told the BBC that it fears other councils will follow suit, threatening big cuts in incomes for thousands of elderly war pensioners.