PEOPLE should curb their smoking and drinking to help pay for improved social services, a Redditch county councillor has claimed.

Betty Passingham made the comments as the county council backed a £1.53 per week average council tax increase to boost social services funding by £4 million.

Mrs Passingham, who gave up smoking 32 years ago, said: "It's half a pack of cigarettes or the cost of a pint and if people wanted another fag or a pint they wouldn't stop themselves but if they are asked to pay extra for social services, they moan.

"But I think services for the elderly or children are far more important and I think most people would agree with me."

Mrs Passingham added: "Although there is a lot of tax on alcohol and cigarettes, look how much of a burden they are on the health service and their cost to business.

"I don't think £1.53 a week is much to ask."

Mrs Passingham added that although she didn't want to stifle people's civil liberties, she did not want smoking or drinking to affect other people who might refrain.

The council tax increase will take effect from April.

A county council spokesman said: "We are terribly funded from central Government but we do make very good use of limited resources."