ON October 10, 2003, Kent County Council suggested other council tax payers should pay about 1.3 per cent extra, so that payment by its 130,000 pensioner households rose by only 2.5 per cent.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford said the New Local Government Act gave it the power to implement the plan.

In a recent article in the Bolton Evening News, two councillors said they were against this idea, and I must say that, as a pensioner, I do not want charity.

My council tax is made up of 50 per cent for education, so why the heck should I and other pensioners have to pay 50 per cent to subsidise someone else's children (I paid for my children in the '60s and '70s).

The majority of pensioners do not use the education system, and I buy all my books and stationery, and pay for office services, and on top of this pay tax into the bargain on my private pension.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, so let's have a bit of fair play.

This, in my opinion, must be a case for exercising your European rights, so let's all contact our MEP.

Watcher

(Name and address supplied)