The British Legion is concerned that war pensioners in East Northamptonshire could lose money if benefits are recalculated by the local council.

The East Northamptonshire Council has asked the public if they are in favour of ignoring war pensions when calculating housing benefit and council tax.

More than 94% of local authorities in England and Wales disregard the payment, but if it is taken into account, pensioners could lose �500 per year.

Tony Pepper from the British Legion told BBC Radio Northamptonshire that many who served their country could be badly let down.

It is right to include the public in a debate on this issue

East Northamptonshire Council

"I think it was Winston Churchill that said that no man wounded in the service of his country, or no widow who has lost her husband should be penalised financially in any way."

Mr Pepper said "the loss of this 'full disregard' would do just that".

The council issued a statement which said "there is a cost to the council taxpayer in providing this additional help and it is right to include the public in a debate on this issue".

The council added that voters will probably not change the current policy allowing war pensions protection from local taxes.

"Early indications from our survey are that the public is in favour of this discretion remaining."

The current policy translates to a person in a band D property paying an extra �2.17 per year to help cover the cost of the area's 115 war pensioners.

Local residents have been asked to vote on the issue by 21 October.