HOUSEHOLDERS in part of North Yorkshire could be in for a late Christmas present this year - a freeze in their council tax bills.

Ryedale District Council officers have been asked to prepare a budget with a zero increase in council tax for the next financial year.

However they have also asked what improvements there could be to services if it was increased by 2.5 per cent.

Councillor Linda Cowling said the recommendation that council tax should be kept as it is came in response to the recession.

"It’s because everybody is hard-up," she said.

"People have enough on their plates paying mortgages and we’re not convinced the recession is over by any means."

Coun Cowling said it was hoped no services would have to be cut and the shortfall in cash could be made up by working more efficiently.

Owners of band D properties in Ryedale are currently charged £1,464 – excluding parish precepts –,£176.72 of which goes to the district council, the rest going to he county council, fire service and police force.

Residents are now being asked for their opinions on the proposal for freezing the council tax precept and on which services people feel are a priority.

A questionnaire is now available at ryedale.gov.uk and the deadline for all responses is January 15.