COUNCIL tax payers will pay slightly less for their fire service from April.

The County Durham and Darlington fire brigade's share of bills will decrease by 1.1 per cent in a bid to avoid capping by the Government.

Band A householders, who paid £49.56 this year, will be paying £48.96.

Band D property bills will decrease from £74.34 to £73.44.

The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority appeared in its own right on council tax bills for the first time last year - its funding previously came under Durham County and Darlington Borough councils' spending.

The fire authority levied a 20 per cent increase on residents.

The Government said the increase was excessive and nominated the authority for capping, setting a notional budget of £26.8m, almost £754,000 below that agreed by its members.

Fire Service manager George Herbert said the decrease was being made thanks to savings of £655,000 and the use of £546,000 from reserves.

The savings would come from the loss of 40 jobs through natural wastage, but none were from front line crews.

Authority treasurer Stuart Crowe said: "The reduction in the council tax is a one-off. We couldn't do it in future. As a result of nomination and to avoid the risk of council tax capping, it is proposed to draw £546,000 from general reserves during 2005-06 to support the revenue budget."

The authority's budget for the year will be £27.4m. Its Government grant has increased by 3.2 per cent to £13.9m. Durham County Council will next week accept a 4.6 per cent increase in its share of the bill and Darlington Borough Council is set to approve a 4.8 per cent rise.

Figures for the fire authority's precept are: Band A £48.96; B £57.12; C £65.28; D £73,44; E £89.76; F £106.08; G £122.40; H £146.88.