A FIVE per cent council tax increase has been recommended by district chiefs.

The rise is said to be "in line" with Wyre Forest District Council's financial strategy which aims to sustain and improve services.

It will be in addition to Worcestershire County Council and police funding "demands" - both expected to ask for an increase, with the former considering a 14.8 per cent hike.

Executive committee chairman and leader of the district council Liz Davies said: "At this point we are only recommending the five per cent rise for Wyre Forest alone - we would like to keep it as low as possible."

Mrs Davies said the district rise could be slightly more than five per cent if householders say they want to keep a weekly bin collection.

The suggested figure, which means a £7.63 rise for the Band D council taxpayer, was due to be discussed by the budget overview and scrutiny panel last night before a decision is made at a full council meeting in seven weeks.