Some pensioners in Cornwall have complained to their MP

Vicky Lord, who is blind and disabled, says she will have to rely on someone else when the new arrangements begin.

Ms Lord lives in the tiny hamlet of Commonmoor near Liskeard and currently collects her money from one of only two mobile post offices in the country.

The Department of Pensions says it is looking individually at Ms Lord's case.

It is removing your right to control your own finances Vicky Lord

Ms Lord says under the new scheme by the Department of Work and Pensions, she will have to give her bank card and pin number to someone else, so they can go to a bank and withdraw cash for her.

She said: "I think it's absolutely abominable.

"This government pays lip service to making disable people equal and keeping them in their own homes, then it chops away at your independence.

"By doing this, it is removing your right to control your own finances."

Complaints

Other pensioners living in rural areas are also worried about the changes.

Colin Breed, the MP for the area, says he has had a number of similar complaints which he is raising with the minister.

He said: "The government really does have to recognise that there are some older pensioners who wish to retain the use of their pensions book and I think they ought to be able to do so."

In a statement the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We have already announced that the order book contract ends in 2005 and pensioners will need to be paid by another method.

"Those who we are unable to pay by Direct Payment will be paid by cheque."