DORSET pensioners are preparing for a mass lobby of parliament as they protest against inflation-busting council tax rises.

The national protest will take place on Wednesday, September 10, and will see thousands of pensioners from across the country converge on Westminster.

There will be at least three coaches leaving from Bournemouth and Poole, where council tax has risen steeply in recent years.

And the huge gap between pensions and council tax was highlighted when Poole pensioner Pete Porter risked jail by refusing to pay the full 13.9 percent increase.

Mr Porter, 70, of Canford Heath, had altered his monthly payments so that he paid an increase matching his pension rise but was forced to back down after appearing in court and being ordered to pay £509.63 in costs.

John Cherrett, vice-chairman of the Wessex Pensioners' Convention, said that pensioners wanted to let the government know that enough was enough.

"Our problem is that throughout the country, council tax rose by an average of 15 per cent last year yet pensions only went up 2.5 per cent," he said.

"This lobby is a way of saying that this situation simply cannot continue."

Mr Cherrett, 65, of Alder Heights, Branksome, said they were also campaigning for the link between pensions and wages to be restored.

"It seems that when you reach the ripe old age of 65 nobody cares about you anymore.

"All we are asking for is a return on the National Insurance that we have been paying over the years. We're looking forward to the lobby, putting our case and hopefully achieving a fair pension for old people."

The lobby is being organised by the National Pensioners' Convention, which the Wessex Pensioners' Convention is part of, but anybody is welcome to join in.

Coaches will depart from various points, for more information call Mr Cherrett on 01202 749842.