ANGRY taxpayers have condemned a cash-strapped council for blowing as much as £4,000 on an adventure weekend for its top executives.

Richmondshire District Council has just announced an inflation-busting increase in its council tax for the coming year and has even warned of possible redundancies as it tried to balance its books.

But 11 of the authority's senior managers spent two days with newly-established firm, Adrenalin, which arranges challenging team-building activities for corporate customers from its base at Aske Hall, near Richmond.

It is understood the weekend cost the council £350 per head - while team members also stayed two nights at the Morritt Arms Hotel at Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

"I think it is disgusting they should spend taxpayers' money on this sort of thing just months after pleading poverty,'' said a local businessman, who has asked not to be named.

"We have just seen council tax go up, we are all feeling the pinch - and then you hear something like this. It's hardly surprising people get angry."

Catterick councillor, Tony Pelton was also critical. "We are allowed a few hundred pounds a year for course work, but it seems senior officers can spend thousands on this sort of exercise - I totally disagree,'' he said.

However, chief executive, Harry Tabiner, who was among the council officers on the course, defended its value yesterday.

"It is an experience which helps with team-building, communication and productivity," he said.

"As far as the management is concerned, the two days at Adrenalin were money well spent."

Council leader John Blackie said: "This sort of thing is popular among leading-edge firms across the UK.

"It don't think it should be considered any more inappropriate for a public body than it is within the private sector.'