A CAMPAIGN has been launched to get a fair deal for pensioners.

Councillors in Weymouth and Portland want to see a further discount in council tax for elderly people living on their own and an extension of the concessionary bus pass scheme to ensure the full costs are met by central Government.

There are also calls for an in-depth review of services for the elderly across the borough.

Coun Brian Ellis will put forward the proposals in a notice of motion at the annual meeting of the borough council which will follow the Mayor-making ceremony at the Pavilion this Thursday.

The Lib Dem party leader on the council said: "If you are a couple you pay a full council tax bill but a widow is allowed a 25 per cent discount. What I'm saying is, that isn't really equitable because a person on their own is in effect paying three quarters of the council tax because the income has been halved.

"The Government should allow a 50 per cent discount for pensioners living on their own. I understand an MP made a point about this recently in Prime Minister's Questions but he didn't get an answer."

Coun Ellis said the Government should also review the concessionary bus fare scheme for pensioners.

The notice of motion adds that the council should instruct the relevant policy and scrutiny committee to carry out 'an urgent and in-depth review of services for the elderly within the borough and report with policy proposals within six months'.

Coun Ellis' notice of motion is being seconded by six of his Lib Dem colleagues.