SHADOW pensions minister Nigel Waterson MP dropped into Redditch last week to chat with pensioners about the Tory's new pre-election pledges.

Mr Waterson met a dozen or so pensioners when he visited the town last Wednesday.

He said the party promised to put up the state retirement pension in line with earnings, giving couples an extra £11 a week and single people an extra £7 a week.

The Conservative party, he said, were also promising to discount council tax by 50 per cent up to a limit of £500 for those over 65.

"Council tax is a big issue with retired people," said Mr Waterson

"This has all been carefully costed and we can and will deliver it.

"The people I spoke to seemed enthusiastic about our proposals."