A PETITION demanding a rethink on new state pension rules has been handed in to Braintree's MP.

The Braintree and Essex Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) group handed a petition signed by more than 400 people to James Cleverly on Friday.

WASPI want to trigger another debate in the House of Commons concerning what they deem the unfairness suffered by women born on or after April 6 1951, who were given very little notice about the changes to their pension by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The nationwide campaign is gathering momentum and a group of supportive MPs met on Monday at the All Parliamentary Group to discuss future strategies.

Mr Cleverly will deliver the petition to the House of Commons on behalf of the group.

Anne Allcock, Braintree and Essex WASPI group coordinator, said: "The petition started about five or six months ago.

"The campaign has been ongoing for quite a while but this brought it to a difference audience as not everyone is able to get online.

"The more it is discussed in parliament the more the government will have to take notice.

"I started the group in March with about 20 people and it has now gone across the whole of Essex and I have got over 65 ladies and the list is growing all the time."

If you have been affected by the changes and are interested in joining the group visit: www.waspi.co.uk or contact anne.waspi@gmail.com.