PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has tabled a Commons motion calling for the reinstatement of the traditional "Mayor's fiver" Christmas bonus for over eighties in his borough.

It may seem extraordinary for an MP to drag what could be considered a petty issue into the national spotlight.

But the strength of feeling in Pendle means Mr Prentice will have many supporters.

Councillors have scrapped the "fiver" tradition - saving the borough's taxpayers £18,000 by taking a little token of respect from 3,600 old folk.

Admirable. Watch the pennies and save the pounds, so the saying goes.

But wait. What else is happening in the careful, penny-pinching borough of Pendle?

With crass ineptitude, just before the meeting which scrapped the fiver, top officers enjoyed an afternoon party when thousands of pounds' worth of presents were showered onto already well-paid staff.

In something which must have resembled a TV giveaway game show, £45,000 a year chief executive Stephen Barnes collected a barbecue, paintings and a lawnmower.

Development director Richard Kirby picked up a top-of-the range mountain bike, and others collected camcorders, hi-fis, golf clubs, leather chairs and CD systems.

It certainly begs a little questioning about priorities.

In his Commons motion, Mr Prentice says the Christmas bonus "recognises, albeit in a modest way, the contribution made by the over eighties to the life of the borough today and in years gone by."

Of course it does. Who would begrudge them a fiver each for a little Christmas cheer in return for their years as citizens and taxpayers?

But what have council officers contributed? When it comes down to it, they're simply doing the job for which they're paid.

And long service does not necessarily mean long service to the borough of Pendle.

An officer receives gifts to the value of £10 per year for each year in local government much of which could have been spent in other authorities. So Pendle taxpayers find themselves coughing up for time spent elsewhere.

That's certainly not fair.

This particular issue is not one of money. It is one of respect for tradition and respect for people who are part of the very fabric of the borough.

Now the old folks' Christmas lunch is widely rumoured to be under threat too.

Councillors would do well to remember the elderly are one of the sections of society which regularly turns out to vote.

If they've any sense there will be a Christmas lunch. With a little gift of a £5 note neatly tucked under each plate.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.