THOUSANDS of council tax payers who pay by monthly cheque are being put into debt by a local authority's new payment rules, it has been claimed Householders today blasted the move, which will come into effect on April 1, and accused Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs of discriminating against the least well-off.

More than 4,000 council tax payers who pay by cash or cheque received a letter outlining the changes last week. They were told they must switch to direct debit payments from a bank if they want to continue to split the cost into 12 monthly payments.

Those who insist on paying by cheque will have to do so in 10 instalments on the 15th of each month after the council withdrew the option of paying by cheque on the 5th, 23rd or last day.

Other councils across East Lancashire use a 10-monthly payment system as set out by the government although most will allow householders to pay in 12 instalments under special circumstances.

Edward Campbell, from Lower Darwen, said: "Like others I pay over 12 months by cheque to ease the burden but now we are being told that this facility will only be available if we change to direct debit. I feel this new regime is totally discriminatory against the least well-off in the borough."

Another council tax payer, from Lammack, said: "There will be pensioners out there on a limited income with no bank account who find it hard enough paying their council tax every month without having to find extra to pay it over 10 months instead."

A spokesperson for Blackburn personal finance management company Wilson Philips, added: "The only consolation for being forced to pay over 10 months is that you get a payment holiday from council tax for two months."

Alan Cotton, director of finance for the council, said: "We are hoping to achieve a more cost efficient method of payment for the citizens and council to help drive out inefficiencies. Hopefully savings made will be redirected to front line services."