Council tax woman ready for jail

Erica Loynes said she was prepared to go to prison over her council tax

An elderly woman from East Sussex is vowing that she will go to prison rather than pay her council tax bill.

Erica Loynes, 78, moved to Heathfield from Norfolk in September and thinks the council tax she was told to pay was too much for her small home.

Ms Loynes has been summoned to appear at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for non-payment of £462.

Wealden District Council said older people on fixed incomes should find out if they were eligible for benefits.

The council said it could not comment on Ms Loynes' individual case.

"I would be prepared to go to prison," she declared.

'Point of principle'

"Although it would make my family unhappy I would still go because of the way I feel about this council tax business."

Ms Loynes is awaiting her first court hearing on Wednesday.

"It is a point of principle," she said.

"People of my generation, we've seen so many different stages of our lives, most of us fought for our King and country during the war, but we don't get any help."

Wealden council said it had "tried to keep [council tax] increases as low as possible".

A statement said: "Everyone who is eligible to pay must ensure that they pay, and should apply for any benefit which they may be entitled to."