Council taxpayers in Middlesbrough are set to see a 4.8 percent increase on their bills.

The council's executive is being asked today tomorrw to agree the details of the £175m bill for the coming year.

Some of the money will be invested in schools, the local environment and the regeneration of the town, the key elements in Middlesbrough's budget for 2005/06.

An extra £1.7m will be pumped into education, £1.6 million in the environment and £200,000 to support regeneration initiatives bringing investment to the town.

The council's has also produced £1.1m of efficiency savings.

The budget proposals will mean a 4.8 percent in Middlesbrough Council's element of the council tax. Cleveland Police and the fire service are expected to announce their precepts shortly.

Councillor Nicky Walker, the executive member for resources, said: "The keynote of our activities throughout the year has been prudent and efficient management of resources to produce savings which can be invested in services vital to the current and future quality of life in Middlesbrough.

"Most people would agree that investment in schools, street wardens a safer, cleaner environment and initiatives which will bring jobs to the town should be priorities and we will look to maintain investment in them."

Middlesbrough Council element for the council tax for 2005/06 will be: Band A £689.93 (£658.24 in 2004/05); Band B £804.91 (£767.94); Band C £919.90 (£877.65); Band D £1,034.89 (£987.35); Band E £1,264.86 (£1,206.77); Band F £1,494.83 (£1,426.18); Band G £1,724.81 (£1,645.59); Band H £2,069.77 (£1,974.71)