PLANS to implement a six per cent increase in the amount of council tax paid to a police force have taken a step closer to approval.

But the rise is opposed by local people, according to a councillor.

Last December, Cleveland Police Authority suggested the increased precept for 2001-2002 to provide a better police service for the area.

Yesterday, the authority's lead member panel was asked to recommend it for final approval at a meeting later this month.

Hartlepool councillor Russell Hart said on a previous occasion that people would be willing to pay "coppers for coppers".

But this was refuted yesterday by South Bank councillor Ian Jeffrey.

He said: "I oppose the six per cent increase and I will be voting against it on February 22. Coun Hart somewhat conservatively suggested that people would be willing to pay coppers for coppers, but clearly they are not happy with that."

The rise comes as Middlesbrough Borough Council prepares to implement an increase in council tax. While Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has agreed to a freeze on its rate, the authority still charges among the highest in the UK.

Coun Jeffrey said: "I'm not sure that what we are doing here is totally constitutional."