Pensioners hope to field 54 candidates in 2005

The pensioners are responding to a call from Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw, who said people unhappy with the large increases should take a political stand.

Many pensioners say they cannot afford an 18% increase, when their pensions are rising by just 2.9%.

Albert Venison, who formed the Devon Pensioners Party (DPP), said: "Mr Bradshaw said that, if we were dissatisfied with the rise, we could put people forward as candidates for the county council, and this is what we are going to do."

COUNCIL TAX Something has got to be done, or they will do it year after year Marion Pinkstone Have your say

Some pensioners in the county have already said they would be willing to go to jail over the rise.

A series of protests has also been held.

The organisers of a protest march in north Devon last weekend say there will be many more.

More than 100 people, many of them pensioners, weathered wind and rain to make their feelings clear.

DPP supporter Marion Pinkstone said: "More people should stand up to the council and not just sit back and moan.

"Something has got to be done, or they will do it year after year."

Excessive tax rises

The DPP hopes to field a full slate of 54 candidates in the 2005 county council elections.

Devon County Council is blaming the need for an 18% increase on an inadequate funding settlement from the government.

The government has hinted that it will use special powers to cap excessive council tax rises.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford has said that councils in Devon had received "very good settlements indeed", and should be able to budget properly.