A PIONEERING pension plan will save seniors an average of £35.

Kirklees Council's Conservative cabinet last week announced plans to freeze council tax for over-65s - with a three per cent increase for everyone else.

This would mean a pensioner in an average-sized house saving £35 a year.

Cabinet member for finance David Hall explained how the scheme would work.

Anyone over 65 on April 1 next year may be eligible for the tax relief but the scheme is opt-in rather than automatic.

And Clr Hall announced how much the proposal would cost.

He said: "We've budgeted £300,000 which includes the cost of setting up the scheme and the reduction in tax revenue."

Clr Hall also revealed that more than 10 councils - including Calderdale, Bradford and Leeds - had contacted Kirklees to enquire about the plan.

In his party's first reaction to the plan, senior Lib Dem councillor John Smithson gave the plan a guarded welcome.

He said: "We believe that council tax is an appalling system which should be replaced with a local income tax.

"So we support any serious approach to make council tax more affordable for all those who have difficulty paying.

"This includes some pensioners but it also includes families on low incomes."