RESIDENTS who fail to pay their council tax are being warned by their local authority that they may face prison.

Hambleton District Council is taking a tough stance on people who do not pay their bills.

Two householders, one from Osmotherley and one from Northallerton have recently been handed 30-day suspended prison sentences by magistrates.

The sentences will be enforced if the outstanding council tax bills, totalling more than £3,000, are not paid.

In the past 12 months, the authority has issued more than a hundred committal to prison notices to non-payers.

Residents' failure to respond to the notice results in arrest warrants being issued.

Cabinet member for housing Councillor David Blades said: "Everyone must pay their contribution to the local services provided by the council.

"We will take action when needed, to force non-payers into line, no matter how large or small the debt is. It is not fair that those who do pay their council tax have to pay more because others avoid paying.

"Where taxpayers have real problems with the level of their debts, we will always try to come to a solution that suits both parties.

"But we will be tough on those that deliberately seek to avoid the tax when they do have the means to pay."