A BATTLING pensioner is prepared to go to prison after refusing to pay his massive council tax rise.

Defiant Pete Porter says he is making a stand for OAPs across the country.

Mr Porter, who lives in Canford Heath, says he would rather go to jail than pay the 13.9 per cent increase when the old age pension has only gone up by just over 2.5 per cent.

He said: "I'm in no mood to back down. Prison does not worry me. I'm just standing up for my rights."

Instead he has altered his standing order so that it only increases by 2.6 per cent - in line with this year's pension rise.

The moral stand has landed Pete, 70, with a day in court to explain his decision.

But he says he is fed up with the constant erosion of his fixed state income.

"I've got no one else to worry about. Last year I had a little dog so I couldn't take the risk with no one to look after her. But this year I am quite prepared to go to prison," said Pete.

"It is obvious to me that no one on a pension is going to be able to continue to pay council tax at the rate it is increasing."

Pete went to an area committee of councillors before this year's tax hike was settled to put his point - but the rise went ahead.

"There was no point writing to my MP Annette Brooke as she had already approached the minister responsible to put this case," said Pete, of Hawkchurch Gardens. Instead he wrote to Poole council stating why he was only handing over only last year's council tax figure together with the pension increase he had received.

He added: "No one seems to be fighting for pensioners. I'd like the court to dismiss my case with costs so to the local authority could then go to the government with a more vigorous reason to get a fairer deal."

Pete will appear at Poole magistrates court on July 30 in a civil hearing brought by Borough of Poole.

Cllr Neil Sorton, portfolio holder for resources, said: "Everyone has a statutory right to pay their council tax in 10 instalments throughout the year. If payments are not made in full for whatever reason, the council is duty-bound to commence action to recover any outstanding balances."