Protesters say the decision is a moral victory for them

Newton Abbot magistrates ordered the pensioners to pay Teignbridge District Council what they owe, but did not order them to pay court costs.

Peter and Margaret Fountain, from Dawlish, must pay �881 and Alan Caley, from Manaton, owes �191.

But Teignbridge District Council says the burden of costs now has to be passed to other council tax payers.

The Devon Penisoners' Action Forum says the ruling, given on Monday, shows that people in authority were listening to their protests.

Mr and Mrs Fountain say their council tax bill is 'extortionate'

Mr and Mrs Fountain say their protest was not just for them, but for hundreds and thousands of "ordinary people".

Their council tax has risen from �648 in 1998 to �1,230 this year.

Mrs Fountain said: "For the bill to have nearly doubled in six years is extortionate.

"I don't see how anybody can justify it."

Mr Fountain says he hope the stand he and his wife have taken will make a difference.

He said: "I don't think we're going to be the only ones.

"I think more will follow us, and whatever little anyone can do will help towards everybody else."

Sympathy

Alan Connett from Teignbridge District Council says, at 2.2%, Teignbridge's increase this year is the lowest in Devon and Cornwall and the twelfth lowest in the country.

Mr Connett told BBC News Online: "I don't think it's a victory.

"Not to award costs means they will have to be picked up by other council tax payers."

He says the issue of council is a matter for government and local councils simply enforce the law.

Mr Cayley claims magistrates have sympathy for the pensioners

Alan Alan Cayley says the magistrates ruling is a victory.

He said: "They are obviously held by the Lord Chancellor criteria as far as these cases are concerned, but the fact that they didn't award costs I think shows their sympathy."

Albert Vennison from the Devon Pensioners' Action Forum claims magistrates are beginning to see sense in what the protesters are saying and says the group needs to continue its campaign.

He said: "If magistrates in every court we go to do it, perhaps councils will begin to get the message - which is we can't afford to pay this council tax each year."