CAMPAIGNERS fighting inflation-busting increases in their council tax bills are taking their case to the House of Commons.

Members of the Is it Fair action group Dennis Bustard and Brian Jaye presented a petition containing more than 1,100 signatures to Christchurch MP Christopher Chope at Ferndown Library on Saturday.

The petition claims the current system is causing financial hardship to many people, particularly pensioners and people on fixed incomes and protestors are urging the government to replace it with a fairer tax based on the ability to pay.

"The council tax is based on property values and bears no relationship to people's income," said Mr Jaye.

"It has more than doubled since 1995 while the rise in the basic state pension has risen by 38 per cent.

"Taxes for local services should be related to income. The services are used by the people and not by people's properties."

Mr Jaye said Mr Chope and most of Dorset's other MPs supported their plight and would present their petition in Parliament.

"The only one who is not behind us is Sir John Butterfill who says there is nothing wrong with the current system," he said.

Mr Jaye, aged 68, of Elm Close, Sturminster Newton, was last night seen by millions of viewers across the country when he appeared on the ITV programme Tonight With Trevor McDonald.

He told reporter Michael Nicholson why he landed up before magistrates earlier this year after refusing to pay part of his council tax. He also said that he was prepared to do the same this year.

Earlier this year Mr Jaye presented the campaigners' case to MEPs in Brussels.

First published: October 18