THE Forest of Dean District Council is still trying to collect 854 cases of unpaid poll tax — five years after the controversial tax was scrapped.

More than £118,000 is owed by "dodgers" whose homes have all been visited by bailiffs.

But even when the bailiffs hired by the council managed to gain entry, they found that in many cases there were no assets worth seizing and selling.

The council has consistently refused to write off the debts because, say its revenue officers, this would send out the wrong message to other "shirkers" and people who have always paid up.

A fierce battle to get local householders to resist paying Mrs Thatcher's most unpopular measure was waged by activists in the Forest for several years after it was introduced in 1990.

Some defaulters were sent to prison. John Evans, the council's revenue services manager, will not rule out the possibility of more court actions unless the remaining offenders adopt a "realistic" payment plan.

Mark Gale, who was one of the leaders of the local campaign against the tax, said this week that continuing to pursue them was "a pointless exercise," as many just could not afford to pay.