"PENNY pinching" moves to axe Alcester's annual maintenance grant will force tax rates up fears the town council.

Alcester Town Council clerk Derrick Ward branded Stratford Council's recent decision to cut the town's landscaping allowance next year as "unfair and immoral".

He said: "In Stratford Council's desire to improve its economy it has chosen the easy option and overlooked its moral obligation to support us."

Mr Ward added Alcester had become a "town to be proud of" since 1972, when funds and responsibility for maintaining district council-owned green spaces and play equipment was transferred to the town Council under Section 136.

He added Alcester would continue to maintain high standards but it would come at a price.

"Unfortunately due to their penny-pinching, the ratepayer may face an increase in charges and it could cost Alcester Council up to £40,000, which is unfair."

Stratford Council's community leadership manager Chris Wood admitted the decision was cost-cutting, but said the present system was unfair and favoured towns such as Alcester, which has lots of grass verges and green spaces.

Alcester Town Council currently receives almost £40,000 a year, almost £20,000 more than the second highest Warwickshire allowance granted to Southam.

"Residents of other towns are footing the bill for Alcester residents which isn't fair." he said.