DAVID Lock has vowed to intervene amid fears of huge council tax rises for Wyre Forest folk.

The Wyre Forest MP made the pledge after the district council warned of big council tax rises by Worcestershire County Council, which make up the bulk of the final bill.

The district council has vowed an increase of under five per cent and "substantial developments" in key services.

But leader Mike Oborski warned county proposals could see a massive 13 per cent inflation-busting rise or cuts in vital services.

The rise would mean an £80 increase for a Band D tax payer.

Mr Lock spoke amid speculation the Government is poised to give tens of millions of pounds to local authorities to ease the impact of council tax increases with an impending General Election.

He said it was difficult to speculate on the final council tax figure until negotiations had been completed at a national level.

He said: "I am happy to act as an intermediary and help both councils.

"I am pressing the Government to recognise the position of poorly-funded local authorities such as Worcestershire.

"However, this has resulted from many years of underspending. While the budget has increased in recent years, this has been from a low base."

Mr Oborski, who is also a county councillor, has written to Mr Lock asking him to "sort out" affairs at county hall, which is run by a Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition.

Mr Lock said he was willing to help but was concerned the request pointed to a breakdown in communication between the district and county council.

The district council's budget will be presented to the authority's policy and implementation committee meeting on February 15.