COUNCIL house rent are set to increase by 4.34% from April -- an average of an extra £1.91 per week.

The move will bring the average rent in the Wigan borough area up to £49.73 a week, still among the lowest in the country.

Keen to defend the increase, Cllr David Molyneux said: "There is a massive modernisation programme underway and there are still day-to-day costs to be met.

"We will continue to invest in our housing stock, making a real difference to the condition of properties and the appearance and popularity of housing estates."

The money raised from the rent rise will help finance the improvement programme. By 2008, over £250 million will have been invested in council properties in the borough.