IPSWICH pensioner Pat Nevard today vowed to go to prison rather than pay her increased council tax bill as anger against the rise continues to mount.The 64-year-old, of Winfrith Road, has launched a petition against the 18.

IPSWICH pensioner Pat Nevard today vowed to go to prison rather than pay her increased council tax bill as anger against the rise continues to mount.

The 64-year-old, of Winfrith Road, has launched a petition against the 18.5 per cent council tax increase introduced by Suffolk County Council and has collected more than 200 signatures so far.

She collected the signatures outside the Heath Road Post Office and also the Co-op food store, in Penshurst Road, Ipswich.

She said the response to her petition had been very positive and many people agreed with her views.

"We've got to make a stand, she said. "I cancelled my direct debit on Friday and from now on I'll only pay my council tax with a three per cent increase on last year's bill.

"I know I've got to pay it but I won't pay any more than a three per cent increase. I'll go to prison if I have to."

The retired shop worker, who lives with her husband, John, 74, said the increase in her council tax bill has "eaten away" the rise in her state pension.

While her pension is going up from £75 to £77 next week, Mrs Nevard's council tax bill has increased from £89 per month to £105 per month.

She said: "The pensioners have been hit hard but the younger ones with families are being hit as well. It's just gone absolutely through the roof.

"I'm trying to do something about it. Everybody knows about inflation but this increase is a tab too high."

Mrs Nevard said she supported retired magistrate Betty Bone, from Sudbury, in launching her petition, for which she will continue to collect signatures this week.

On Monday, The Evening Star also featured Kesgrave plumber Roy Burgess, who is driving a van with a blackboard attached to it denouncing the council tax increase. He has also put up a similar sign outside his house, in Carlton Road.