A Lib Dem government would restore dignity, security and choice to people in old age, Charles Kennedy said on Thursday.

Setting out his party's plans to woo the grey vote, Kennedy repeated Lib Dem plans to give single pensioners a £5 a week increase in the basic state pension.

The announcement came as Lib Dems claimed that there would be "no long-term future for the state pension" under Tony Blair.

The party is pledging to introduce a flexible retirement age to end the system whereby most people stop working in their mid 60s. Under Lib Dem proposals the state pension would continue to come on line at 65, but those who retire after 60 would be entitled to claim support.

Mirroring the policy of the Lib Dem/Labour coalition in Scotland, Kennedy announced that his party would deliver free personal care for the elderly.

He told this morning's news conference: "We will pay for the costs of free personal care, just as we are doing in Scotland. This will end the indignity and injustice of older people and their families having to sell their family home to care for themselves."

The Liberal Democrats are proposing a rolling programme of pensions increases - ranging from £5 per week for a single pensioner under 75 to £28 per week for a couple aged over £80.

Attacking the Tories and Labour on pensions, Kennedy described his policy as "a much more straightforward, costed approach".

The government's approach to means testing benefits also came under fire.

The party's social security spokesman, Steve Webb, said it was wrong that old people had to jump through "hoops" before being able to qualify for benefits to which they are entitled.