PENSIONERS took to the streets of Bolton today demanding free television licences.

Around 50 protesters gathered for today's demonstration outside the town hall.

Pensioners from across the country joined local OAPs in the campaign. It is backed by The Unemployed Action Group (UAG) in Bolton.

Secretary Denise Lonsdale said: "We think it is grossly unfair to limit the free TV licence to a minority of retired people -- less than two million over 75s -- while the majority of elderly and retired, already struggling on a meagre pension, have to pay the full cost of a licence.

"It is going to be a very good demonstration and we have received the backing of Bolton North-east MP David Crausby."

Sunderland Pensioners' Association, with the support of the Silksworth and Houghton-le-Spring District branches of the North East Pensioners' Association, started the campaign.

They called on the Government to stop the practice of age discrimination in respect of the free television licence granted only to the over 75's. Pensioner groups in other areas have now picked up on the campaign and signed a petition.

At present only the over 75s are entitled to a free TV licence. The UAG have long campaigned for a better standard of living for all who live on benefit, and say they are appalled at what they see as blatant discrimination by the Government.

Thousands of pensioners descended on Westminster for one of the biggest health lobbies of Parliament ever held.

The event, organised by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) -- the umbrella group for Britain's pensioner movement, representing around one million older people -- is part of Health Action Day.

The lobby of MPs was involving more than 200 pensioner groups as well as health care professionals and disability rights campaigners in a call for better health care for older people.