COUNCIL tax payers in Hyndburn will face a demand for an extra 6p a week -- £2.98 a year -- from their own town hall after it introduced the lowest increase in Lancashire and one of the lowest in the country.

But when Lancashire County Council and Police Authority precepts are added the majority of residents will still have to pay a total bill of £732 for the next financial year.

As reported in last night's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, councillors decided to set Hyndburn's element of the tax at 2.74 per cent-- an extra 6p a week in most homes - after voting for cash cuts.

A Band A property in Hyndburn -- 70 per cent of homes -- will have a bill of £732 when Lancashire County Council and Police Authority demands have been added. Residents will have to pay £1,098 for a Band D property.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "We live in an area which is economically deprived, with low wages and where people work hard for their money. They want good value. Our expenditure is modest, but expectations are high."

Labour leader Ian Ormerod said: "I don't think we should be proud that we are setting the lowest rise in the country."

A report on the council tax figures in last night's Lancashire Evening Telegraph contained some incorrect figures. We apologise for the error.