Mid Sussex pensioners furious at council tax increases have warned they may refuse to pay.

Members of Crawley Pensioners' Action Group have rejected plans being drawn up by West Sussex County Council to cap tax rises for the elderly, saying that would be unfair.

West Sussex County Council leader Henry Smith said on Monday he wants the Government to reimburse up to £11 million in additional taxes imposed this year when bills rocketed by 18.5 per cent.

Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford has already said councils will be free to impose tax limits under new powers likely to be introduced next month.

Coun Smith suggested using the extra cash to cap taxes on pensioners.

But Muriel Hirsch, action group secretary, said that would be unfair on others.

She said: "We are not the only ones having problems paying the huge council tax bills. It's also a problem for people on low wages."

She said the council tax should be scrapped altogether.

"We don't just want the council tax to be lowered as that might have an effect on services. We think it should be replaced with a local income tax."

Mrs Hirsch said pensioners might refuse to pay their council tax bill next April if measures are not taken.

West Sussex has a greater proportion of over-60s than the national average, around 200,000, which represents 25 per cent of the population.