Free television licences should be kept for over 75s.

That’s the view of Swindon councillors, who have agreed to write to the BBC and urge it to change its mind.

The corporation is pulling the plug on free TV licences for all but the poorest of over 75s as the bill to pay would be £750m.

And if it didn't pass on the charges it would be forced to close TV and radio services.

Labour group leader Jim Grant introduced the amendment urging the government to ensure that the BBC carry on providing the licences.

He said: “More than 600,000 people have signed Age UK’s petition to restore the free licence to all those over 75.

“Television is very important to older people, particularly those over 75, where 40 per cent have said it’s their main form of company.

“As well as company it provides intellectual stimulation.”

Coun Grant said he believed the government should ensure that the BBC could withstand the cost of the free licences and said: “I don’t blame the BBC, although it agreed to take responsibility for the licences from the government.

“It was in the Conservatives’ 2017 manifesto that the licences would remain free – but ministers have said they expected the BBC to restrict it once responsibility had been handed over.”

Coun Grant’s references to the Tory manifesto angered Conservative cabinet member Dale Heenan.

He said: “Councillor Grant couldn’t resist a dig at the Conservatives.

“If we are talking about 2017 manifestos what about Labour’s pledge to deliver Brexit and respect the referendum?”

Conservative Brian Ford spoke in support of the motion and said: “Loneliness is a scourge of modern times.”

He took issue with the BBC: “The principle is that the BBC agreed to pay for these free licences.

“A lot of people over 75 can well afford to pay for their licence, and they should – but it’s a point of principle that the BBC agreed to this.”

He went on to criticise some of the salaries of top performers and managers at the corporation, drawing “hear, hear” from Councillor Vera Tomlinson.

The motion was agreed and council leader David Renard will write to Swindon’s MPs, the culture secretary and director general of the BBC to urge they find a way to keep the licences free.