Pensioners have been meeting in Blackpool

The National Pensioners' Convention protested through the town's streets before its president Rodney Bickerstaffe rapped the Government.

He said politicians fail to look after old people properly as the group unveiled their first manifesto.

Mr Bickerstaff criticised the Government for spending more money on Iraq over the last year.

He said: "On September 11, two and a half thousand human beings died.

"It was a bad day for the planet."

"That winter, here in rich Britain, 22,000 older people died of cold-related illnesses before their time.

"Similar numbers died the following winter.

PENSIONERS' DEMANDS All pensioners to receive �105 a week Free annual health check for the elderly Free personal and nursing care The abolition of council tax

"But where was the public outrage? Where was the war on winter deaths?

"Whatever people's differing views on the war in Iraq, it has so far cost the government around �10bn in 18 months - roughly the same as has been spent on pensions in the last seven years."

State pension

The group called for an increase in the basic state pension to �105 a week, and a free nationwide travel scheme.

In addition it urged a free annual health check for pensioners, free personal and nursing care, and the abolition of council tax, with local services funded through national taxation, business rates and government grants.

It also plans to contact every candidate in the next general election to ask where they stand on pensioners' issues.

Mr Bickerstaffe added: "With 11 million people over 60 and a high proportion of them likely to turn out and vote, no serious political party can afford to ignore the power of pensioners at the ballot box."

Maria Eagle, a minister for Work and Pensions; the Conservative spokesman for older people Nigel Waterson; Sandra Gidley of the Liberal Democrats and Jean Lambert of the Green Party were among the speakers.