CONSERVATIVE leader Peter Callow has blasted the rise in Blackpool's council tax as "way, way beyond the level of inflation."

Coun Callow said: "The rise of 17.3 per cent is huge. And it's very bad for the council tax payers of the town.

"This is the biggest rise there's ever been in council tax in Blackpool.

"Labour's contention is that it is still the lowest in Lancashire, but that doesn't help a person who's got to find that increase. People can't suddenly magic up a 17.3 per cent rise."

The increase was agreed by the council's Executive Committee last Wednesday and it was going before the full council for approval last night. People living in Band D properties will pay £950 -- an increase of £140.

Council leader Roy Fisher said that the council needed to balance spending pressures while trying to avoid an unacceptable increase in council tax.

"We've listened to what people have been telling us and these proposals are our way of responding to what they are telling us they want," he said.

"The pressures facing the council clearly demonstrate the need to set council tax at an appropriate level to meet spending demands.

"We're not alone and other authorities locally are also facing difficult budgets and significant increases in council tax, but Blackpool's will remain the lowest in Lancashire."

The council plans to spend an extra £4.5 million on education -- including 86 extra teachers and 86 extra school support assistants.

It also intends to spend an additional £1 million on street cleaning -- including more jobs for street cleaners and investment in more modern equipment -- £500,000 on children's services and £800,000 on household waste disposal and environmental costs in the coming financial year.

A council spokesman said that the measures would mean more jobs for teachers, social workers and street cleaners and that the budget should not result in any compulsory redundancies.

Residents in Wyre face an 8.06 per cent rise -- those living in Band D properties are set to face a bill of £1,057.53 for the coming financial year -- a rise from last year's bill of £978.66.

Wyre's new cabinet considered the proposed council tax at a meeting last Thursday (February 21) and the cabinet's decision will be considered by the full council on March 7.

Fylde Borough residents face a 9.1 per cent price hike, taking Band D property bills to £1,052.18. Fylde Borough Council rubber stamped the new council tax figure at a meeting on February 25.