A COUNCIL tax increase of 2.5 per cent in Worcester moved a step closer after council bosses approved the rise.

The figure would see households in the average Band D zone paying £140.96 to the city council- a £3.44 rise.

Details of the increase first appeared in the Worcester News two days before Christmas when it was under consideration.

Leader Coun Stephen Inman said: "A 2.5 per cent council tax rise was set out as the priority.

"We have managed to do it with a Government grant settlement that we were pleased with.

"The grant was one that some people may describe as generous, but comes with added responsibilities. Band D tax payers will now be paying £140.96.

"This is yet another year when we have held the tax rise back at 2.5 per cent and it will be great credit if it goes through next week at full council."

The announcement comes as most other authorities are planning on hiking up council tax bills five per cent.

Worcester City Council tax is only a modest slice - 11 per cent - of the overall tax bill that lands on the doormat.

The rest of the bill is made up from the fire service, police service and Worcestershire County Council.