But despite the protests of about 50 pensioners at County Hall in Exeter, the councillors voted to agree the budget, which means council tax rises of 18%.

Pensioners lobbied councillors as they entered the building, saying they could not pay the tax and were prepared to go to prison for non-payment.

The protest rally was organised by the Devon Pensioners Action Forum.

'Big effort'

Protest organiser Albert Venison said that people came from all over the county.

"They have come a fair distance and have made a big effort," he said.

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"The council tax has gone up so much that people just can't afford to pay it.

"My council tax has gone up �240 a year and my actual pension goes up just �200, so I'm �40 in the red already."

Devon County Council's executive committee has proposed spending plans of more than �616m.

To meet that level of funding, the council said it needs to increase council taxes by 17.95%.

In cash terms, it means an average band D household will have to pay an extra �2.64 a week.

'Worst affected'

The council said the government's latest funding settlement left the county with a �32.5m shortfall, which led to councillors having to decide between making drastic cuts in services or hefty rises in council tax.

Deputy council leader Brian Greenslade said that 15% of the increase was down to the government relocating council's funds from the south of England to the north.

He pointed out that the council had lopped �5m off its spending through efficiency savings.

He said: "I understand that people on low and fixed incomes will find it very difficult.

"We do not want to impose these big rises, but we have to provide services."

He added: "If we had taken services away, we would have had another protest.

"And the very people that are protesting today would have been worst affected by the decision."