A CHARITY looking after the interests of blind people is challenging the Pension Service over its attitude to people who cannot use pinpads for banking.

Viv Wright, chief officer of Scarborough Blind and Partially Sighted Society, which covers Whitby and Ryedale, has written to the chief executive of the Pension Service.

She said that many of her clients who exercised their right not to change from order book to direct payment last year have been left upset and confused after receiving letters about the system.

The letter is written in red ink and warns "Please don't ignore this letter. Order books are being stopped, so you need to tell us which account you would like your money paid into."

Mrs Wright said: "We have been actively encouraging those people with a sight problem who cannot use pinpads in post offices to retain their order books and not to bow to pressure to open an account to have their benefits paid into."

She advised people who received the letter from the Pension Service to contact the service if they did not wish to change to the direct payment scheme and make their position clear to officials.

Alternatively, they can contact Scarborough Blind and Partially Sighted Society on (01723) 354417.