THE borough's inflation-busting council tax hike is nearly two per cent higher than rises imposed by similar councils.

Government figures show that metropolitan authorities put up their bills by an average of 5.2 per cent, compared to the seven per cent rise locally.

Bury's increase is the third highest of the ten Greater Manchester councils as only Oldham and Wigan have higher rises.

However, the actual amount that people pay locally is relatively low for the region. A Band D bill in Bury is £911, the second lowest in Greater Manchester ahead of Trafford. The national average for metro councils is £966.

In England as a whole, the average council tax for a Band D property will be £901, up by 6.4 per cent.

Hilary Armstrong, local government minister, said she was disappointed with the rises, especially given the low level of inflation.

She said the Government had provided English councils with £44 billion of funding, an increase of 7.2 per cent in total grant.