THOUSANDS of fed-up Hampshire pensioners have demanded a fairer deal from the government.

More than 3,100 pensioners have signed a petition asking for free long-term care for the elderly in nursing or residential care or their own homes, and a "noticeable increase" in the basic state pension which would be free of means-testing.

Southampton Pensioners' Forum chairman Don Harper handed city Test MP Alan Whitehead the petition when they came face to face at a question and answer session in the city .

More than 60 OAPs quizzed Mr Whitehead and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley for more than two hours during an often heated and lively debate.

Mr Harper said: "The facts speak for themselves. Forty per cent of pensioners rely on benefits to make up their income and the elderly have never been so vulnerable.

"As for means testing pensions, it is not only wrong, it is discrimination.

"Many of the people who signed our petition had sad stories to tell about how they had lost their homes in order to pay for their care. A lot of students signed our petition to. They understand our struggle given their own over tuition fees and falling loan levels.

"The way we collect our pensions is also going to change with cards and PIN numbers being given to every pensioner. It adds to the confusion and creates a number of security issues."

Under government plans the basic state pension will rise by £1.92 a week from April 2003, a figure considered far too little by many of the elderly audience.

A single pensioner currently claims a basic pension of £77.50 a week, with a married couple claiming £120.70 a week.

Alan Whitehead said he did not think it was right to claim that the government has done nothing to improve pensioners well being.

"If you take into account all the add-ons such as the winter fuel allowance then it's clear to see that the government is committed to spending more money on elderly care," he said.

"The government is pouring an additional £1.4billion next year into the money spent on pensioner care. With regard to means testing, it is a one-off application and does not represent discrimination.

"We do have a problem in that the amount of nursing home sites are dwindling and some of those that remain are not of a standard we would want our elderly loved ones to live in if they wish to maintain their dignity and peace."

Also speaking yesterday was Sandra Gidley.

She said: "There are more people in this society over 60 than those under 16 and the government has ignored that fact.

"There should be a campaign for a much better basic pension."