PENSIONERS have been told they will receive backing if they refuse to pay their council tax in full.

Cleveland Pensioners' Convention Forum said any pensioner who refused to pay more than this year's increase in their State pension towards council tax rises would receive their support.

Pensioners are also being urged to claim their full entitlement to council tax rebates.

The forum believes people will face large council tax increases next year.

Mike Findley, secretary of the forum, said: "The forecast is for council tax increases to be three times the rate of inflation.

"We are totally opposed to such increases, which fall particularly hard on pensioners and others on fixed income.

"We urge all pensioners who do not claim their full entitlement to council tax rebates to do so immediately.

"This is necessary to ensure that these claims are taken into account when council tax charges for 2004 to 2005 are set in February and March this year."