DARLINGTON Borough Council is preparing to set its budget for the coming year, with residents facing a 4.8 per cent council tax rise.

A meeting of the council to discuss the planwill take place on Wednesday.

Council tax is set to rise by 4.8 per cent - just under the Government's five per cent limit for this year.

But the opposing Conservative group says it will challenge the plans. Tory spokesman Charles Johnson said: "We're not happy with the proposals the Labour group have put forward.