THE people of Chester-le-Street face just under a 14 per cent increase in their council tax, it has been confirmed.

As The Northern Echo first revealed two weeks ago most council tax payers will have to pay at least £80 more for their services come April.

In Chester-le-Street, the figure will be the lowest in County Durham, but residents still face a massive increase.

Most council tax payers are in bands A, B, C or D. Band A face an increase, not including parish precept, from £600.82 to £683.04, band B from £700.96 to £797.36, band C from £801.99 to £911.27 and band D from £901.23 to £1,025.28.

The district council takes the smallest cut of tax raised of three major bodies. It rais-ed its share by 7.5 per cent, Durham County Council by 14.8 per cent and the police by 14.2 per cent. Councillor Malcolm Pratt said the district intended provide a better environmental cleaning service.