COUNCIL taxpayers in East Lancashire must not be "conned'' into a false sense of security because of generally low rises in the levy this year, local Tory MP Nigel Evans has warned.

With most local authorities in the area coming in well below the average seven per cent increase in council tax predicted across the country, he fears people will believe the era of big rises is over.

But Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans said the trick has only been achieved by the government fiddling the system in favour of Lancashire's councils. Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley have both set council tax rises of 2.9 per cent - among the lowest in the country.

Lancashire County Council's precept is to rise by 3.5 per cent while Burnley is to increase its levy by five per cent and Pendle by 5.94 per cent.

Rossendale has yet to set is council tax while Hyndburn is expected to be the exception to the local rule with a huge rise needed because of recent financial problems.

But Rossendale and Darwen Labour MP Janet Anderson hit back: "The government has recognised the needs of East Lancashire and put more money into grants from Whitehall to councils in the area.

"It is also taking steps to keep council tax increases down across the country.

"Nigel Evans is just indulging in party point scoring."

But Mr Evans said: "Local people must not be fooled by the generally low council tax increases in Lancashire. It's a con.

"The government has only achieved it by skewing the system to put more central government money into the council's coffers with a General Election on the horizon."