HOUSEHOLDERS in the Prime Minister's North-East constituency are to pay more council tax than people living anywhere else in the country.

The County Durham district of Sedgefield, whose MP is Tony Blair, is to become the place with the highest council tax across England and Wales.

Residents in houses classed as band D for tax purposes will have to pay more than £1,300 a year.

That is the highest of 250 authorities that have so far set their council tax rates, according to figures posted on a website run by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

But the leader of Sedgefield Borough Council, which collects council tax payments, Councillor Robert Fleming, has defended the high council tax bills, saying residents receive good value for money.

Coun Fleming said: "Most of the money goes to Durham County Council, the fire service and police, which I believe serve the borough well.

"A lot of that goes on social services and early learning centres, which do brilliant work for children to the elderly, and have to be supported. The leisure facilities also provide a lot of activities for the fees charged.

"The whole of Sedgefield borough is parished, so there are large town and parish council precepts included in the council tax.

"The borough council held discussions with three residents' panels before setting the rates and when all this was considered they agreed with the changes."

He also said that very few residents would face such high bills because the vast majority live in band A properties, so pay less than the £1,376 band D property owners pay.

He said: "Band D is often used to make comparisons with other authorities but it gives a false impression. Most people in Sedgefield, I'd say 90 per cent or more, are paying much less because they live in band A or B properties."