A RESIDENTS' group launched in protest at a council tax rise may enter the political arena.

The Durham Council Tax Alliance was formed earlier this year after Durham County Council levied a 14.8 per cent increase in its share of the bills taxpayers have to foot.

The group has about a dozen members, but plans to launch itself formally in the next month or so. It is considering fielding candidates in next May's elections for Durham City Council.

Founder member Bob West, from Gilesgate Moor in the city, said there was a growing feeling of alienation from local politics among people.

He said people, particularly those annoyed at the council tax rise, felt they did not have a voice in affairs. "There's a feeling the same people, politicians, have been running things for too long,'' he said.

"The good thing about the alliance is that there are people of different political views, it is a completely mixed bag.

"We intend putting people up, if we can, at the next city council elections. The idea is to get a different point of view on the council.

"Whether the voters would vote for us, I don't know. If we don't stand up and be counted, we'll never know.''

Mr West recently discussed the prospects for future council tax rises with the county council in the wake of proposed changes to the Government funding formula for councils, which North-East authorities claim disadvantages them.