COUNCIL tax payers in Bury face an increase of at least 6.2 per cent.

But council chiefs warn it could be more depending on financial pressures within departments, and how much the police and fire authorities demand from local taxpayers.

The alternative would be to make more serious cuts and departmental heads have already identified some savings.

Councillors gave the settlement a cautious welcome, saying it compared well to other authorities. Bury's grant from Government towards its spending has gone up by 8.2 per cent to £127.8 million, higher than the metropolitan average.

Budget roadshows will be taken to meetings of the borough's six area boards in early February, just before the budget is formally set.