Love your sea view? It could be about to cost you...

The Fylde's homes by the sea and those which overlook picturesque parks or golf courses could all face growing tax bills when a new computer system is used in the national council tax revaluation excercise.

Homes along the coast will be particularly hard hit by the revaluation, which was due to come into force in 2007 but was delayed at general election time.

The American-designed computers take into account various pieces of information including the number of rooms, any extensions and location to calculate the value of a home.

"The new American computer system will allow John Prescott's bureaucrats to identify homes with garages, green houses, large patios or gardens, with scenic views or in a Conservation Area," said Cllr John Coombes, leader of Fylde Borough Council.

"This in turn will allow Labour to increase council tax on these homes, by pushing them into a higher council tax band.

"This is a sinister echo of the ancient 'windows tax', rather than a fair charge for the use of local services. These plans are the ultimate stealth tax - taxing those who have worked hard and improved their homes, and making council tax even more punishing for families and pensioners."

A spokesman for the Valuation Ofice Agency, which is due to carry out the revaluation, said: "The banding for council tax is based on market value which takes account of a number of factors.

"Specific things like a sea view will only have a bearing if they have a significant influence on the overall value of the property."

All of the Fylde Coast's councils have put up council taxes considerably in recent years, with Fylde Borough Council reporting increases of 72 per cent