COUNCIL tax payers in the Ribble Valley are to see their bills rise by 4.6 per cent in the next financial year.

And Ribble Valley Borough Council leader, Councillor Peter Redpath, said the rise was "one of the lowest in the county" and would raise bills by around 10p a week.

The rates were agreed at a full meeting of borough councillors last night, and will see a typical Band D property rise from £978.28 this year to £1,052.79 for 2002/03.

Coun Redpath said: "Our expenditure for 2002/2003 is expected to increase by £206,000 to £5.239m after our Budget Working Group recommended savings of around £250,000 in order to minimise increases in council tax."

Precepts have also been added by Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Police Authority and local parish councils, setting rates for a typical Band D property at £856.58, £73.86, and £9.67 respectively.

This would mean for a Band D householder in Clitheroe council tax rates for 2002/2003 of £1,052.79; £1,049.18 for ratepayers in Longridge; and £1,057.86 for Whalley.