PENSIONS, crime and Europe were some of the issues raised when Huddersfield pensioners came face-to-face with this year's election candidates.

Members of the Huddersfield and District Pensioners' Organisation were given the chance to voice their concerns when hopefuls from four political parties attended a meeting at St Patrick's Catholic Centre yesterday.

Huddersfield Labour candidate Barry Sheerman joined Liberal Democrat hopeful Elisabeth Wilson, Helen Martinek of Veritas and Conservative candidates David Meacock and Maggie Throup for a public grilling on election issues.

Pension increases and a 50% council tax reduction for pensioners were some of the promises made by the Tory candidates.

An extra £7 a week per person and £11 a couple were the rises pledged.

A complete overhaul of council tax to benefit pensioners based on income instead of house value was called for by the Liberal Democrats.

New political party Veritas took a strong stand against membership of the European Union and called for a better society.

Labour praised the improvements already made in education, health and business in Huddersfield and highlighted how an extra 5,000 pensioners were receiving more cash thanks to a new benefit introduced.

Name: Phyllis McGeoch

Age: 90

Lives: Primrose Hill.

Says: "I don't think pensions should be means-tested. I want a fair deal for pensioners. I am also worried about pensions in the future."

Name: Marjorie Irving

Age: 82

Lives: Dalton

Says: "I have been disgusted with Labour and the Liberal Democrats with the different things that affect me. I want to see OAPs being looked after."

Name: Dorothy Redman

Age: 76

Lives: Dalton

Says: "I think teachers should be able to have more respect to enable them to deal with children. I would like to see more old fashioned methods introduced. Travel should also be free for pensioners everywhere and not just in various places."

Name: Richard Holbrook

Age: 71

Lives: Liversedge

Says: "One of my main issues is the European constitution. Anything else like taxes and health can be altered, but once we go into Europe we can't get out."

Name: Derrick Siswick

Age: 75

Lives: Birkby

Says: "The means-testing of this Government is one of the meanest things I have ever come across. For anybody who has saved all their life, they are taxed on their pension. We can't get any benefits, which is discouraging for savers and people taking out their own pensions."