TAX REBEL pensioner Cyril Martin has won the backing of West Dorset’s MP who has vowed to take his fight to the very top.

MP Oliver Letwin met 83-year-old Mr Martin, of Kings Mead, Puddletown, yesterday to hear of his grievance.

Mr Martin was ordered by magistrates in December to pay his £365 council tax debt –£1 for each day of the year – to West Dorset District Council.

He is making a stand because he claims his Band C home was wrongly placed in Band D, and he has worries over European issues.

A meeting with Mr Letwin has left the retired naval communications technician feeling optimistic that an end is finally in sight for him and 78-year-old wife Eve.

He said: “On the face of it, the meeting was excellent.

“I showed him all the properties and to use his words, it is an open and shut case.”

Mr Letwin has described the situation as ‘ludicrous’ and has written to the chief executive of the valuation office in support of the pensioner.

Mr Letwin said: “In Kings Mead, the smaller houses are in Band B and two of the larger ones are in Band C – that is what you would expect.

“The two in Band C are literally identical to the two in Band D, one of which Mr Martin lives in.

“It is completely impossible – it has got to be wrong. This cannot possibly be sustained.

“I am fighting his corner because it is ludicrous. It needed to be seen to be believed.”

But while Mr Martin is feeling hopeful, wife Eve is not so convinced.

He said: “She agrees with me but she doesn’t think I have a chance of achieving much but I don’t think like that. I am persistent – I have been doing it since 1996 and I am convinced that eventually right must prevail over wrong.

The clock is now ticking for the couple, who are expecting the bailiffs on Friday.

“I am hoping I will get some news during the week to deter the bailiffs,” said Mr Martin.

And with the new council tax year now under way, the pensioner is remaining defiant. He said: “I shall pay the £150 a month now, less the £1, because it is not just the council tax I am against, it is being made to pay Europe without the people having a say in the matter.”