STOCKTON Borough Council has announced its recommended budget for the coming year with three central services due to benefit from more than £8m.

The budget of £180.6m was set last week after lobbying by councillors led to additional Government resources being handed to the authority.

The council's budget was also boosted by high collection levels of council tax and business rates.

Education is to receive an extra £5.4m in the coming year, social services will get an extra £2.2m while the council's Care For Your Area campaign will be boosted by an extra £500,000.

In addition, £1.9m will go to the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme ,while £700,000 will help to bring better services for children in need.

Schools will get £11.6m to improve their buildings, including two new schools in Ingleby Barwick, and there will be £11.3m for transport and £9.6m for council housing.

The final increase in council tax is expected to be 5.42 per cent.

The council leader, Councillor Bob Gibson, said: "This is a good budget which will allow Stockton council to move forwards on many fronts.

"We can look forward to improvements across services brought about as a result of best value, we will see many Government initiatives take effect and new facilities for our communities come on line for the first time."

The full council will consider the recommended budget on Wednesday, February 14