COUNTY Durham council tax payers are facing increases in charges of at least £20 from April.

The 4.1 per cent rise will add £19.14 to the charge for a Band A house, which rises to £480.60. People in Band D properties will pay £720.90, an extra £28.71.

The full charges that people will pay for their council services are not known yet, because the police authority, district and parish councils have still to announce their levies.

The increase could have been 6.2 per cent - above Government guidelines -but for the use of £2m from the council's reserves to cover a shortfall.

The Government gave Durham County Council the second lowest standard spending assessment increase of any shire country.

Council Labour leader Don Robson said the increase in tax rates was largely because of increased funding of flood defence work, the fire brigade and magistrates courts.

"Our increase for next year is also likely to be among the very lowest of any shire county," he said.

The increase compares with a headline inflation rate of 2.9 per cent. Business rates - set nationally- will rise by 3.3 per cent to 43 pence in the pound.

Tony Moore, independent county councillor for Shildon North-East, said: "The increase is far too high.

"The Government is not giving the council the money it needs. It is very sad when the council has to dip into reserves, which are there for emergencies.

"People can't afford it. They are already struggling to pay their mortgages and other bills. The district, parish and police precepts are still to come.''

The council's budget for next year, £402.140m, has the executive committee's approval but is still to be ratified by the full council. Other band charges are: B-£560.70; C-£640.80; E- £881.10; F-£1,041.30; G-£1,201.50; H-£1,441.80.