John Harper said he was "stunned" to receive a demand

The community charge was abolished more than a decade ago after sparking riots and a massive non-payment campaign.

A number of pensioners and unemployed people have been seeking advice after a flurry of bills dropped through letterboxes in North Lanarkshire.

The council defended its decision to continue chasing the debts.

The poll tax was introduced in Scotland in 1989 by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government and came into effect in England the following year.

It was abolished in 1993 after a non-payment campaign, which involved protesters such as Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan and riots in London.

People that are receiving these letters are very, very distressed Frank Dawson Cumbernauld Unemployed Workers' Centre

North Lanarkshire Council said it was not the only local authority which was still pursuing poll tax defaulters.

It said the "excellent work" being done by an expanded debt recovery service was providing the council with much-needed cash.

However, pensioners like 77-year-old John Harper have been less than happy to receive bills.

He said he was "stunned" when the letter arrived and described the council's actions as "ridiculous".

Dozens of people have contacted agencies in the area for advice.

Frank Dawson, of the Cumbernauld Unemployed Workers' Centre, said: "People that are receiving these letters are very, very distressed.

"They are going out to a lot of people who are probably the most vulnerable in our society."

Questions about poll tax arrears have already been raised in the Scottish Parliament by Central Scotland MSP Carolyn Leckie and her Scottish Socialist Party colleagues.