A pensioner who is refusing to pay her full council tax bill says she is prepared to go to jail in a bid to highlight the injustice.

East Sheen resident Hazel Johnson claims it is unfair that her ability to pay is judged on her personal savings and not her sole income of a state pension.

On Friday, August 18, the 76-year-old was hauled up in front of magistrates by Richmond upon Thames Council after paying only half her bill for the year.

She was slapped with a liability order by the courts meaning she could face bailiffs, insolvancy proceedings or even jail as the council try to recover the money owed.

Richmond council said it has a legal obligation to collect cash, although it has not decided how it will act on the liability order.

Mrs Johnson said: "My council tax, with single person's allowance, was £154 for 10 months, £1,540 a year. I paid by direct debit for nine years. I cancelled my direct debit because it had increased so much. I realised I was eating so much into my savings and I couldn't afford it."

She said the value of her house in Wallorton Gardens has risen sharply over recent years but that her ability to pay is unfairly judged on her savings not her income.

She added: "I agree I should pay rates or council tax. My whole point on this is that it is ridiculous to take my savings. I will end up depending on the state and all the other tax payers will get the burden.

"I said I will pay on my income but not on my savings.

"I will pay £80 per month for ten months of the year. I have given back the £200 I got at Christmas in cash and have been popping to the council and paying in cash £80 every month."

Mrs Johnson, who suffered a heart attack earlier this year, insists she is not trying to get out of paying, but just wants to pay what she can afford.

She added: "If it means going to prison that is a risk I have to take. I don't want to go to prison, it is very frightening. It is just that this is seriously wrong for older people."

Her cause has been supported by Richmond MP Susan Kramer who said: "I have been part of the campaign to scrap council tax and replace it with a local income tax exactly because of cases like this.

"The council cannot change this national system and it would not be fair on other people who depend on their personal savings. The current council tax system is grossly unfair."

A spokesman for Richmond council confirmed that a liability order had been granted but said the council is considering its options.

He added: "We have no right as a local authority to write off this debt. We have a legal obligation to collect council tax. We would be breaking the law if we did not do so.

"We feel we made every effort possible to engage with Hazel Johnson and will continue to do this with the hope that we can agree payment terms."