EACH year, the council tax goes up on average of £50 for my home. In 1996 it was £500, by 2000, £700, in four years an increase of £200. My pension from company and sate does not increase and fellow pensioners say the same - our standard of living is eroded with every council tax increase.

In protest I am paying not the increased 2000 amount but last year's amount.

The reason I'm doing this small individual protest? Hopefully to remind every council officer, especially in Social Services, that money from the council tax should be very carefully spent.

If every council officer, every secretary and every councillor had this thought maybe the important issues of running our city would be dealt with and no money wasted.

B PEPLOW,

Newtown Road,

Ronkswood,

Worcester.