The media appears to think only home owners pay council tax but some tenants pay even more.

Every month I struggle to pay £87 council tax on my rented Housing Association bungalow, where I also pay ever-increasing rent which is barely covered by my state pension.

Through the years living here, I have suffered theft and damage to items I need daily and those of value.

The stress of this has caused ill health which, at times, becomes severe. Yet, although I am registered disabled, I receive no help from any local services, except refuse collection, and no pension credit either.

It is certainly not pride which prevents me claiming the meanstested extras enjoyed by some pensioners and neither do I have a private pension. Owing to the unusual events arising from my late husband's passing in 1999, I have been left in a peculiar situation - a cleft stick. Yet another council tax rise will be the last straw.

  • Thelma Brown, Twyford Gardens, Durrington, Worthing