FAMILIES in Bolton will have to pay at least £35 a year extra in council tax.

The budget for 2001-2002 means taxpayers in Band A properties -- more than half of those in Bolton -- will pay £652.10, a rise of £35.75 a year from April 1.

Bills are slightly higher in Blackrod (£658.24), Westhoughton (£664.46) and Horwich (£666.22).

Meanwhile residents in the most expensive band H properties will pay almost £2,000.

A disappointing annual grant allocation from the Government has left the council, like other North-west authorities, facing above inflation rises.

The Conservatives in Bolton, meanwhile, say the budget is unfair and there will be reductions to services which will be "disastrous" for the town.

Cllr Bob Howarth, council leader, said that people would be paying more taxes, but would be getting better services.

He added: "For 84 pc of people living in Bolton, the council tax increase will be less than £1 a week.

"For once there is a lot to sing the praises of in this budget."

Cllr Howarth has consistently said the £2 million in savings the authority are still being forced to make will be more than offset by an extra £14 million in Government cash, including £6.5 million for road maintenance and £5 million for schools.

Opposition parties claim the benefit of these grants are reduced because the money is allocated by central Government, not the local authority.

Labour also point out that six out of the other nine Greater Manchester authorities have higher council taxes. Bury's bills are set to go up by 7pc while Wigan's are expected to rise by 8.9 pc.

John Walsh, a councillor for Astley Bridge and deputy leader of the Conservative Party, said it was unfair that people had to face a council tax rise which was more than twice the rate of inflation.

He said: "Council tax has gone up higher than the rise in pensions and the pay rise for nurses and police.

"The cuts in services we believe will damage Bolton. It will be disastrous for this town. Car parking charges will also be increased which will cripple the town centre."

The Conservatives voted against the budget. They also put forward their own plan which they claim would save money, while increasing essential services.

The Liberal Democrats asked for it to be amended, calling for more consultation with the public before setting the budget in the future.