LEIGH residents face an increase in prescription charges next month.

But the Government has claimed the 1.67 per cent increase is the lowest in over 20 years.

The charge for a single prescription will rise from the usual price of £6.00 to £6.10, on April 1 2001.

Prescription charges are expected to raise some £141 million for the NHS in 2001-2002.

The Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt said, "For the third year running we have held the increase to 10p in cash and at 1.67 per cent it is the lowest rate of increase for over 20 years.

"The Government is fully meeting its commitment to restrict increase in prescription charges to no more that the rate of inflation."