MORE court appearances beckon for Worcester people who shirk paying council tax, the authority has warned.

The Worcester News reported how 600 non-payers were hauled before magistrates last month after city council leaders decided to prosecute those who try to avoid the bills.

Bosses have issued a fresh call to remind people to pay council tax - or face the consequences.

The authority plans to carry over unpaid bills from the 05/06 financial year into next year to make sure nobody gets away.

Although last month's prosecution was described as "largely successful" in collecting unpaid bills, there is still a hardcore of non-payers persisting in not co-operating. The financial year is due to end this Friday, and with it the old council tax rates before a 2.5 per cent increase kicks in. Head of finance Graeme Lucas - who is spearheading the drive to prosecute bill dodgers - said it is unfair that some people persist on not paying.

He also said the council would send bailiffs round if the hard-core element of non-payers carry on.

"We have a legal and a moral duty to collect the money which is owed by individuals and companies," he said. "It is unfair on the vast majority of residents and businesses that pay their bills to allow non-payers to have an adverse affect on council services. We will do all we can to pursue the non-payers, including using bailiffs or instigating bankruptcy proceedings."

The authority has to keep money set aside just in case households fail to pay council tax. It decided to bring in last-resort court tactics because of a build-up of non-payers. Households will pay an average of £140.96 to the city council under new rates.