COUNCIL tax payers in Wigan borough face bills nearly nine per cent higher than last year.

Metro chiefs say an 8.9 per cent increase is the price which must be paid to provide more police officers and cover increased fire service costs.

It means the average B and C band home owner in the Leigh area will have to pay an extra £80 a year.

The precepts for police and fire services -- which Wigan council has no control over -- have increased by 33 per cent (police) and 23 per cent (fire), compared to a 6.5 per cent tax rise for local authority services.

Greater Manchester Police says the extra cash is vital to enable the force to put 50 extra officers on the borough beat to address public concern over rising crime levels.

Priorities

Council leader Peter Smith said: "Whenever we ask people what their priorities are they tell us it's crime, community safety and more police on the beat, and this budget is all about making our borough a safer place for residents.

"Obviously the council tax rise is higher than we would have preferred but the chief constable has made a persuasive case for the extra police and that is a significant factor in the rise."

He added that for the first time in many years there would be no significant cuts in front line local authority services, and schools would get more than the full amount of extra money allowed in the government's budget settlement.

The rise is in line with other regional council figures but still leaves the borough with a level lower than most neighbouring authorities.

New charges are Band A: £731.90 (£672.37 in 2002/3); Band B: £853.88 (£784.43); Band C: £975.87 (£896.49); Band D: £1,097.85 (£1,008.55); Band E: £1,341.82 (£1,232.67); Band F: £1,585.78 (£1,456.79);

Band G: £1,829.75 (£1,680.92); Band H: £2,195.70 (£2,017.10).

The 2003/2004 budget has been approved by the Metro's cabinet but still has to be formally confirmed by a special meeting of the full council on March 5.