HEREFORD and Worcester Fire Service is demanding one of the biggest Council Tax increases in Britain, according to a survey published today.

The fire authority's 29.4 per cent hike - which will add £13.67 to the average bill, is the largest so far confirmed to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

West Mercia Police, which is planning a 14.9 per cent increase adding £17.89 to the final bill, ranks ninth highest.

The demands by the fire and police authorities look set to force up the total bill to be paid by householders across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Wychavon District Council, one of the first 101 local authorities in the country to calculate its final bill, will ask for an overall increase of 7.8 per cent.

This rise - the 10th biggest in the country so far - takes into account the demands of the fire, police and Worcestershire County Council - which is asking for an increase of 5.9 per cent on its share.

The bills for other local councils are expected to be similar - as the county, fire and police make up the bulk of their demands.

The total figure for Wychavon is more than three times inflation and above the predicted 5.7 per cent national increase. The average for the West Midlands region is expected to be 5.5 per cent.

CIPFA said the the national average rise for a Band D home would be £62 in 2004-2005, taking the annual payment to £1,142.

Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford has yet to announce whether any councils or fire or police authorities will be "capped".

Some have proposed rises in excess of Hereford and Worcester Fire - but these are yet to be confirmed.

A decision will be made after he has received final returns from every local authority in the UK, on Thursday, March 11.

Mr Raynsford said: "Government will use its capping powers if necessary, where authorities impose unreasonable burdens on council tax payers.

"No decisions will be made until we have seen all the returns, but make no mistake, we will use our powers if necessary."