The Government says millions of pounds can be saved by moving services so that they are solely online and that getting to grips with the interest is a “better thing for people’s lives”.

But Mrs Cowper, who is a retired secretary and knows how to use a computer, disagrees.

She said: “It is infuriating that older people are being given no say over whether they actually want to use the internet or not.

“You cannot force people to use computers and become au fait with the internet if they don’t want to. It is against our human rights.

“Many people of my age or younger simply haven’t got the ability to learn how to use computers, so they’re going to have to get somebody else to access these services for them.

“It puts people in a terrible position.”

Dozens of public services are in the process of being moved solely online, including the carers’ allowance – used by 3.2 million people a year – driving licences, small claims services and lasting powers of attorney.

The Government plans to offer one-off internet training sessions for people who are “digitally excluded”, but this will not be offered repeatedly.

Mrs Cowper says that aside from pensioners not being given a choice about whether they wish to use the internet, signal is a problem in many places.

She added: “So many places do not even get an internet signal.

“The village where we live has a receiver hanging on the church steeple to receive a satellite signal and bounce it back to a metal receiver that you have to buy to place on your chimney.

“It costs £30 per month and you have to pick up your computer and hold it by a window facing the church to connect to the internet.

“It’s just ridiculous.”

Helen Kirk, acting chief officer for Age UK North East Lincolnshire, says it is on hand to offer assistance to older people who do want to get online.

She said: “We ran one IT course that ended in May and we have another one starting in September.

“Many older people want to learn how to use tablets and smartphones so that they can communicate with relatives who live further away.

“But there are also many older people who simply don’t want to have to use computers and the internet and would rather pick up a pen and paper or a telephone and speak to somebody.

“The important thing is that nobody should be left unable to access services simply because they don’t use the internet.

“With their permission, we are always happy to help people access services online. We help many people to complete their pension applications from our offices, for example.”

Age UK is based in Osborne Street, Grimsby. Call 01472 344976.