The legion believes the council tax system penalises pensioners

It says it has received more calls than ever before from pensioners in the region facing financial hardship.

The charity has combined with several other groups in calling for reforms to the council tax system.

The legion says the system unfairly penalises the over 60s.

The organisation says the recent large increases in council tax have been too much for pensioners to bear and that many of those eligible for council tax benefit are not claiming it.

By joining with others, we are exercising our right to make a protest against something we thing is universally unfair Terry English, Royal British Legion

The legion's director of welfare, Terry English, is meeting members in Newquay, Cornwall, to discuss the issue.

He said there had been a surge in requests for financial support from pensioners facing hardship.

"The council tax is a problem that affects everyone, irrespective of their party, race or creed.

"There is a lot of hardship in the west, particularly in South Devon and Cornwall, which seems to be higher than the average, so it is a particularly poignant point for people in this part of the world."

The legion believe the voices of its 550,000 members, alongside groups such as Help the Aged and the website-based "Is it Fair?" campaign, will add to the growing pressure on the government to ease the council tax burden on pensioners.