SPECIAL surgeries are to be held in Padiham to give residents advice and information on how to pay their council tax.

The move comes after confusion surrounded the closure of the payment offices at Padiham Town Hall when nearly £5,000 in tax was unable to be collected.

The surgeries will give residents information on the range of payment methods open to them.

Council tax staff will be on hand to discuss swipecard payments, direct debits, payments in person or by post to the Parker Lane offices, telephone and internet payments.

Initially there will be two sessions between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Wednesday August 4, and Monday, August 16.

If successful further surgeries could be held.

In addition to the sessions the council is also launching surgeries on the third Thursday of every month between 10.30am and 12.30pm at the town hall for people who require advice on housing benefit, council tax benefit, and other tax inquiries.

The first of these sessions will be held on Thursday, August 19.