ANGRY pensioners are trying to enlist the support of the Queen in their fight against a London levy to pay for Britain's Olympic bid.

Bexley Pensioners' Forum has been campaigning against the proposal, since London Mayor Ken Livingstone first announced the capital would face a levy on their council tax for eight years as a contribution towards the bill, if the bid for the 2012 Olympics was successful.

Mr Livingstone dismissed the cost to Londoners describing it as the equivalent of buying a weekly Walnut Whip.

But pensioners see the levy as totally unjustified and claim many of them will never be able to benefit from the successful bid.

The forum wrote to the Queen, as patron of the British Olympic Association, about the effect an Olympic levy would have on pensioners and the low paid.

It wants pensioners to be exempted from any levy, estimated to be around £20 a year for a Band D council tax payer.

"We have more than paid our way during our lifetime and now, in the name of fair play, we appeal to you for your support for this exemption," wrote John Flunder on behalf of the forum.

The Queen has replied saying she has passed the forum's views onto the Chancellor Gordon Brown, for his consideration.

Both Bexley Council and Bexleyheath and Crayford MP Nigel Beard have previously said they would not support an extra Olympic levy on Londoners.

The Association of London Government also believes the cost should be shared countrywide.

Mr Flunder says the Government's declared aim is every corner of the UK should benefit from a successful Olympic bid.

"So why are Londoners the only corner of the UK where a charge is being levied to help pay towards the Games whether we want them or not?" he asked.