ANGRY pensioners will be making their voices heard when they march through the city centre today.

Up to 80 campiagners will demand higher state pensions, free public transport and more money for home help during the city centre rally.

The pensioners will also put pressure on MPs and councillors in a face-to-face meeting at the civic centre.

John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen and Sandra Gidley, MP for Romsey will be among those fielding their questions.

The senior citizens are hoping to raise awareness of issues affecting the elderly - especially financial burdens caused by inadequate state pensions.

Don Harper of Southampton Pensioners' Forum said: "The average income for a pensioner is just £10,000 and that often includes health care in the home as well as day-to-day living costs.

"The weekly state pension is very low at just £84.25. We want to see it raised to 40 per cent of the median wage which would give a weekly basic state pension of £178.80.

"We know the government has the money from National Insurance surplus but it is being used for other things. Why can't it be put into pensions?"

The forum is also calling for more money to be spent on providing health care in the home including financial support for carers looking after loved-ones at home.

Other targets are free annual health checks for the over-60s, free nationwide public transport and a reduction in age discrimination generally.

"Pensioners are sometimes looked upon as a nuisance," added Mr Harper. "We hope the march will make the general public aware of the issue pensioners face.

"It also gives us a chance to speak to MPs and leaders face-to-face and ask all the questions we want to. As a group, pensioners are sometimes forgotten about. By holding public events like this we hope people will start to listen and hopefully it will lead to some changes for the better."

Dot Gibson of the National Pensioners' Convention and the Sheriff of Southampton Councillor Stephen Barnes-Andrews will also be attending the rally.