LANCASTER and Morecambe is to get less money from central Government to pay for essential local services.

Local politicians have expressed disappointment at the 5 per cent revenue support grant which they say will make next year's budget very difficult.

A spokesman said: "The below inflation increase in the revenue support from Government will have a significant impact on the level of council tax for the next year unless budget reductions can be achieved."

The fact that business rate revenues are higher in the district will help balance the books but the cabinet are to lobby both local MPs to ask them to put forward a case to Government for more revenue.

Cllr Jon Barry said: "We can't just keep trimming and trimming our budget each year. It's bad housekeeping because all the 'unsexy' projects like replacing knackered pavements are put on the back burner and end up in a terrible state costing us a fortune to put right."