Couple fight Olympics council tax

The couple say everyone should be taxed for Olympics

An elderly couple have said they would rather go to prison than pay the levy on their council tax which will pay for the Olympic Games in 2012.

Thomas and Rita Glenister of Barnet in north London plan to withhold £33.35 of their annual bill - the amount they say would be their contribution.

The couple say it is a British Olympic Games and so everyone in the country should contribute - not just Londoners.

The council said they would initiate legal action against the couple.

Londoners are to pay at least an extra £33.80 on average in council tax for the Olympics and additional police, according to the mayor's new budget.

'Fair play'

Mrs Glenister, 72, who served in the army and has worked as a secretary at Holloway prison, said it was only fair to ask everyone to contribute.

"It's just a matter of fair play... I have never broken the law in my life but I have to make a stand."

The couple have written to both Mayor Ken Livingstone and the local council.

The council said that although it collects the tax, it is the Greater London Authority (GLA) which allocated the money to different departments, including the Olympics.

But withholding payments may land the couple in legal trouble, the council said in a statement.

'Takes courage'

"If a resident was to withhold council tax payments, the council has the responsibility to take recovery action which would include sending reminder letters and finally a court summons."

But the pensioners were unfazed by the prospect of legal action.

"Of course it's scary, but that's the whole part of it.

"It wouldn't take any courage if it wasn't scary," Mrs Glenister said.

"Enough is enough," said her husband.