The Conservatives have detailed their plan to cut council tax bills for the elderly.

Party leader Michael Howard promised to take action to help pensioners with their payments.

The move came as figures for this year's council tax rises are finalised, with Labour boasting that tax hikes in its councils are lower than those in Tory-controlled town halls.

Party Response: Conservative

Michael Howard said: "People will face a clear choice at the election: Conservatives who will give pensioners dignity, security, and respect by increasing the state pension and cutting their council tax or Mr Blair, who will forget them and raise their council tax.