PENSIONERS from Worcester have complained about the hidden cost of paying their council tax in person.

Anyone from the outskirts of the city who wants to pay over the counter faces either travelling into the centre or coughing up £1.65 per instalment at the post office, the amount it charges for handling rate bills.

If they choose to spread the payments over the year, the total bill could rise by more than 10 per cent. But council officials say there are a number of alternative methods of paying without charge including direct debit, over the phone or via the internet.

Ken Callow, who lives in Windermere Drive, Warndon, was annoyed at having to pay by sending a cheque through the post rather than in person.

"If you want a receipt it costs them for the stamp. Why should you, as a Worcester taxpayer, contribute for me paying my council tax?" said the 70-year-old.

Until this year, residents could use neighbourhood offices around the city - including centres in Warndon, Ronkswood and Dines Green - to pay the bills.

That option has gone after the council housing was sold to Worcester Community Housing and they do not offer the tax payment service.

"I think it is an unnecessary obstacle," said 70-year-old Brian Peplow, from Newtown Road, Ronkswood.

"I've paid twice so far this year and on one occasion we made a special journey in to pay which was an inconvenience."

City MP Mike Foster accused the council of penalising some of the poorest residents. "I don't want to see people paying out more than they need to because our city council fails to appreciate what these charges mean," he said.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, responsible for finance at the Guildhall, said having to travel to the city centre was an 'inevitable consequence' of the housing transfer.

"While I can understand the situation, with a city three miles across I think most people are in town once a week," he said.