A CAMPAIGNER from Greenock has become a celebrity spokeswoman for a generation of pensioners in the fight to save free TV licences for over-75s.

Ivy Siegfried, 82, was a hit on the ITV's This Morning programme after saying that she would rather go to jail than pay for her licence after the BBC scrapped the universal scheme.

She has since been inundated with messages of support from all over the world and has been contacted by several national newspapers.

Ivy says her phone has been 'on fire' since her telly appearance and the public have taken her to their hearts.

Ivy told the Telegraph: "I've had emails from Australia, America and Mauritius.

"People are also stopping me in the street, I went into Greenock town centre and folk have been saying that they agree with me.

"I was stopped in B&Q and Wilko.

"I went in to The Albany for my lunch on the Monday after the show and a woman came up to me and told me that she had seen me in the Tele and on television and said she was with me 100 per cent.

"Then everyone started to clap."

Ivy, of Dunlop Street in Greenock, said being at the centre of attention has been a bit overwhelming.

She said: "My family said 'oh mother you do get yourself into some scrapes!'.

"My phone was on fire for a week after the show.

"I'm fine about being a spokeswoman because I was secretary of Cowdenknowes Residents' Association for 20 years."

Ivy is even more motivated to continue the campaign following a message from a lady in England.

Ivy said: "The woman said that she thought what I was doing was wonderful.

"She told me she had lots of health problems and has no family and relies on a community alarm.

"TV is her company but now she has a problem, she doesn't know whether to pay for her alarm or for her television.

"She can't afford both. That made me cry and also very angry. Steam was coming out of my ears."

Only over-75s in receipt of pension credit will receive a free licence under the new rules.

Meanwhile Ivy proved such a hit on This Morning that bosses have asked her on the show again today as a panellist for a debate alongside presenter and broadcaster Matthew Wright.

She said: "They said it was another part of the show where two people are asked their opinions on subjects.

"I told them I wanted to know what it was about, they aren't tripping me up!"