Council Tax has always been an emotive issue. After receiving my bill this week I was gobsmacked at the increase being levied.

Looking at the past few years we have incurred 9.8 per cent increase in 2002, a 13.7 per cent increase in 2003 and now a 10.2 per cent increase in 2005 (Band C property).

Increases like this are totally unjustified, especially when we are getting less for our money.

Our nursing homes are sold off to Shaw and our leisure facilities are sold off to Halo, being two examples.

My wife and I are classed as DINKY's (double income, no kids yet) and should be able to take these Council Tax increases in our stride, but there will be many families and couples who will struggle, not to mention the elderly.

Thank you Herefordshire Council!

Edward Hogan, Browning Road, Ledbury.